If you’re planning to watch Serena Williams play in this year’s Fed Cup against France, you’ll be disappointed, because her body and her mind are way too spent to compete.

That’s what the captain of the U.S. team Mary Joe Fernandez said. Due to the constant playing and practicing, Serena really needs to take some time off.

“She is mentally and physically exhausted and needs a break,” said Fernandez. “So bad time for us, but that happens sometimes. She’s been going hard the past couple of years and needs to get refreshed.”

As for Serena’s sister Venus, she won’t be attending the Fed Cup either due to a schedule conflict. Accidentally, Venus signed up for two different tournaments that happen to take place on the same week.

Additionally, Fernandez said after Serena played in a Charleston S.C. tournament, it pushed her to the point of extreme fatigue, but the U.S. captain is still confident this year’s team will still be a powerhouse.

“Unfortunately, I guess Serena hit the wall after Charleston,” said Fernandez. “Serena and Venus both wanted to play, and I was looking forward to having them….It’s difficult for them because the priorities are the big tournaments. Hopefully we can get a [Fed Cup tournament] that’s convenient [in terms of] timing and geographically.”

In a recent interview with Fitness magazine, Williams said people shouldn’t confuse her on-the-court persona with the way she is off the court, because if she’s not training or playing in a tournament, she’s usually the silliest and most approachable person in the room.

“I think of myself as two different people,” stated Williams, who’s currently ranked the No.1 player in the world.

“There’s the Serena Williams that everyone knows: Shes crazy…She can’t make a mistake, and she’s angry and just not nice, to be honest. I’m only that person for three hours a day when I’m on the court. The rest of the time I’m just Serena. I’m a class clown.”

Image via Wikimedia Commons