[Source: FOX Sports]

American legend Venus Williams will not play in next month’s Australian Open.

This means an emerging Australian will secure the last women’s singles wildcard.

The 41-year-old fell outside the top 100 and direct entry for the Australian Open – in May for the first time in nine years.

The seven-time grand slam champion hasn’t played since August because of a leg injury that meant she also had to skip the US Open.

Williams’ ranking has plummeted to No.318 and she needed a wildcard to enter the tournament.