Two-time US Open champion and former world No 1 Venus made the announcement in a video posted on social media

“Not the best news from Serena and I today. I am joining @serenawilliams @RafaelNadal and @rogerfederer on the injured list, she said.

“I, too, am unable to play the US Open. It’s super, super, super disappointing, having some issues with my leg all this summer and just couldn’t work through it.”

The 41-year-old, who has seven Grand Slam titles to her name, added that she would miss competing at her “favourite slam” and wished all the other players good luck.

Earlier on Wednesday, younger sister Serena withdrew with a torn hamstring, making it the first time since 2003 that neither has appeared at the tournament in Flushing Meadows.

The siblings add their names to a long list of players who will miss the tournament due to injury including Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Simona Halep.

On Wednesday, August 25, the American said that her torn hamstring has not completely healed, pulling out of the major tournament and extending her latest break from the game that she once dominated.

Williams wrote on Instagram “After careful consideration and following the advice of my doctors and medical team, I have decided to withdraw from the US Open to allow my body to heal completely from a torn hamstring. New York is one of the most exciting cities in the world and one of my favourite places to play – I’ll miss seeing the fans but will be cheering everyone on from afar. Thank you for your continued support and love. I’ll see you soon”

The 23-time Grand Slam winner, who is still pursuing Margaret Court’s all-time record, started Tuesday evening’s match against world number 100 Aliaksandra Sasnovich well though but had to retire from the game due to injury to her right thigh

The 39-year-old American, who wore strapping on her right thigh from the start of the match, broke Sasnovich in the Bulgarian’s second service game but appeared to roll her ankle in the process of returning a shot.

The sight of Williams in pain and in tears was hard to watch as she left the court having worked so hard to get back to action.

The American won the first set 6-1 but her Belarusian opponent won the last two sets 6-3 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to set up US Open final showdown with Naomi Osaka.

Williams, who has been stuck on 23 Grand Slam titles since winning the 2017 Australian Open, was hindered by a jarred ankle in the final set.

Azarenka will play Japan’s Naomi Osaka on Saturday in her third final at Flushing Meadows.

The 22-year-old also broke Maria Sharapova’s previous record for a female athlete which was set in 2015 when she totalled $29.7 million.

According to Forbes magazine, Osaka, a two-time Grand Slam champion, made £30.7m in prize money and endorsements over the past 12 months, setting a new record. That was £1.15m more than the amount earned by 38-year-old Williams.

Williams, a 23-time grand slam champion, has been the highest-paid female athlete for the last four years — earning between $18 million to $29 million.

Juventus and Portugal striker Ronaldo earned $109m (£85.6m), with Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar third with $105m (£82.5m). Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez is fourth on the list with $94m (£73.8m), while Roger Federer was in fifth position on $93.4m (£73.3m).

Serena Williams is the only female athlete on the list.