NY Times · Feb 16, 2016
Serena Williams Pulls Out of Qatar Open, Citing the Flu
DOHA, Qatar — Serena Williams has withdrawn from her second consecutive tournament, announcing Tuesday that she will miss next week's Qatar Open because of the flu.
The No.1-ranked Williams pulled out of this week's Dubai Tennis Championships on Saturday, also citing illness.
In a news release from the Qatar Open, Williams says "I have come down with the flu and do not feel 100 percent. I need to take this time to recover but I do look forward to returning to Doha and seeing my fans soon."