By Lauren Lynch                   Photo Credit: Armen Allahverdian

(August 15, 2011) Venus Williams pulls out again for another required-WTA-premier tournament and joins Kim Clijsters on being out again before the US Open.

Williams is still suffering from the viral illness that took her out of the Rogers Cup but believes she will be okay for the US Open.

She told the Associated Press, "I'm  optimistic that I will be ready for the US. Open at the end of this month."

However, she did make an appearance to sign autographs on High School Day in Cincinnati.