Serena out of Hopman Cup due to injury recoverment

Serena Williams has withdrawn from next year's Hopman Cup in January due to recovering from a hamstring injury which occured at the year ending Sony Ericsson Championships.

Williams, ranked second, said that she is still going to play in the Australian Open, even though the Hopman Cup is three weeks before the first Grand Slam of the year.

Meghann Shaughnessy will replace Serena in the mixed-team tournament, partnering with James Blake, a two-time champion. Serena has previously won the Hopman Cup with Blake in 2003.

Marat Safin has confirmed that he will team up with sister Dinara Safina, ranked third, for the Russian team.