World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka has pulled out of her first match in Fed Cup with a back injury. It is unclear whether she will be able to face Serena Williams on Sunday. . The Australian Open champion was scheduled to play the United States' Christina McHale in Saturday's opening match of the Fed Cup World Group II tie in Worcester, Mass.
"It has been a while and I have been trying to take [the injury] day by day," Azarenka said in a statement. "I had the pain since the Australian Open and was hoping to recover, but did not have enough time with all the flying I did. Unfortunately, it just didn’t happen. It’s disappointing, but health is the most important thing. I am trying to do my best and over the last few days, I have got treatment and not so much practice. It is frustrating to sit out, but what I did in Australia was very physical, so the body needs a little break. We have a great team and the girls are ready to go."
Azarenka did not cite an injury during her maiden run to a Grand Slam title in Australia, where she beat Kim Clijsters and Maria Sharapova back to back. After winning the title, she flew to Los Angeles and appeared on the "Ellen Show" before heading to Massachusetts. — Matt Cronin