Birmingham - Venus Williams will not play for the US in the Fed Cup semifinals against Russia this weekend, joining her sister Serena on the sidelines.
US captain Mary Joe Fernandez said Williams told her of the decision on Wednesday.
Fernandez had been holding out a spot for the sisters, hoping at least one of them would recover from leg problems in time to compete. Neither sister has played in the Fed Cup for three years.
The team includes Melanie Oudin, Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Liezel Huber. Fernandez will fill the final spot with Christina McHale or Sloane Stephens.