Tennis

Victoria Azarenka has picked her baby over the US Open -- officially pulling out of the upcoming tennis tournament because she refuses to his leave the state without her 8-month-old son.

As we previously reported, Azarenka is in the middle of a nasty custody war with her baby daddy, Billy McKeague -- who hit her with court docs in L.A. The judge has ruled Azarenka can not take her kid out of the state until the trial is over -- which ain't gonna happen for a while.

The US Open begins next week in New York -- and rather than leave the baby's side for 2 weeks, the former #1 womens player has withdrawn completely.

"I am sadly unable to compete in this year's US Open due to my ongoing family situation that I am working through," Azarenka says.

Tennis superstar Victoria Azarenka -- one of the best players in the world -- has finally broken her silence on the custody war that could force her to miss the US Open ... saying it's unfair that she has to choose between her job and her kid.

As we previously reported, Azarenka is at war with her baby daddy -- who filed custody papers in L.A. and the judge overseeing the case won't let Victoria take the kid out of the state while the trial rages.

Problem is ... the US Open starts on August 28 in NY -- but Azarenka says she REFUSES to leave her kid behind.

"Shortly after Wimbledon, Leo’s father and I separated and as we work to resolve some of the legal processes, the way things stand now is that the only way I can play in the US Open this year is if I leave Leo behind in California, which I’m not willing to do."

"No one should ever have to decide between a child and their career, we are strong enough to do both," Azarenka said.

Azarenka's attorney, Laura Wasser, recently told the judge the tennis star is more than willing to buy a plane ticket for the baby daddy and put him up in a hotel for the 2-week tournament, but the judge said no.

Still, Victoria is holding out hope that the two sides can reach an amicable resolution.

Serena Williams dusted off the poodle skirt and saddle shoes to travel back to the Fabulous '50s for her baby shower over the weekend ... but not without the help of her superstar friends!!

Being 35 weeks pregnant ain't gonna stop Serena Williams from gettin' her sweat on ... 'cause the tennis superstar is still killiin' it in the gym during her 3rd trimester!!

Williams -- who announced she was 20 weeks pregnant back in mid-April -- hasn't slowed down one bit with a bun in the oven ... playing preggo tennis and posing naked for the cover of Vanity Fair.

Serena told TMZ Sports in May that she's not gonna retire once she gives birth -- and her mom says she's gunning to return to the court as soon as possible.

G.O.A.T.

Police quickly informed Venus Williams she was "at fault" in her fatal car accident, but also explained why she wasn't being cited -- namely that she got "caught in the middle."

Palm Beach Gardens PD released the full bodycam footage from officers on the scene of the June 9 accident. One officer approached Venus and asked her to describe what happened.

She was totally upfront with the officer ... explaining how she had entered the intersection, but stopped when another vehicle made a left in front of her.

The cop told Venus he believed she had violated the right of way of Jerome and Linda Barson -- the couple who T-boned her -- but she would not be getting a ticket. The explanation? "I think you got stuck in the middle of the intersection. It's one of those situations where you had the right way, but you lost the right of way."

His advice to Venus ... let the insurance companies sort it all out.

The bodycam footage also includes the Barsons sitting in their Hyundai, waiting for treatment. Their airbags had deployed and they were clearly shaken up. As we reported ... Linda suffered several broken bones, while her 78-year-old husband, Jerome, was hospitalized for 2 weeks before he died from his injuries.

Venus Williams' car crash was a bloody, chaotic scene ... according to frantic 911 callers.

TMZ obtained the audio, and one witness emotionally described the accident with glass everywhere, and at least one person, Jerome Barson, left badly bleeding from his arm and leg. He died 2 weeks later from his injuries.

The caller also says Venus was able to get out of her car and walk, while Jerome and his wife, Linda were badly injured and unable to exit their vehicle. She eventually recognizes Venus, and says "she was unfortunately at fault."

As we first reported ... the attorney for the Barson estate -- which is suing Venus for wrongful death -- says vehicle data from Venus' SUV shows she went from 0 to 19.9 MPH in about 4.2 seconds as she tried to clear the intersection.

Cops on the scene said Venus was at fault in the accident, but did not cite her -- as seen in body cam footage.

Venus Williams was told moments after another car T-boned her that she was "at fault" for the accident ... this according to the police bodycam footage obtained by TMZ Sports.

The video was recorded in the moments after the June 9 accident that left Jerome and Linda Barson severely injured. Jerome eventually died from his injuries. The officer on scene has clearly spoken to witnesses and is now sharing information about the accident with fellow officers ... and says "I will find her at fault" ... referring to Venus.

And then he walks up to Venus' SUV -- she's still sitting in the driver's seat -- and explains that from the time she entered the intersection and stopped -- for opposing traffic -- the light changed, "and he had a green light, so you kind of violated his right of way."

For some reason ... shortly thereafter the officer says, "I don't feel comfortable citing [Venus] for it."

Full disclosure -- the bodycam footage appears to be edited in places. The source that provided the video says that was done to avoid showing any injuries to people involved in the accident.

Ultimately, the officer's take on what happened won't determine who was at fault in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Jerome Barson's estate. A jury would also consider the surveillance video, black box data from both vehicles and other factors.

As we first reported ... the Barsons' attorney says data from Venus' SUV shows she accelerated from nearly zero to 19.9 MPH in 4.2 seconds as she attempted to clear the intersection.

Venus was in Washington, D.C. Wednesday, but still very tight-lipped.

2:25 PM PT -- Barson's attorney, Michael Steinger, tells TMZ he has documentation showing their 2016 Hyundai was in perfect working order. Also, he says data collected from the car's computer proves Jerome and Linda were both wearing their seat belts at the time of collision.

Venus Williams says at least one of the victims in the Florida crash that left one man dead was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident ... this according to new court docs obtained by TMZ.

The tennis star is firing back at the estate of Jerome Barson -- which is suing Williams for wrongful death, claiming she was responsible for the T-bone accident that killed the 78-year-old and seriously injured his wife.

In new court docs, Williams doesn't point out which person wasn't belted in -- but says the injuries could have been reduced had they both been buckled up.

As for the injuries, Williams also says in the docs Jerome's wife's injuries were NOT bad enough to recover damages in a lawsuit under FL law. It's puzzling since Linda Barson claims she suffered a cracked sternum, a shattered right arm and a broken wrist, hand and fingers.

Williams also alleges the Barsons failed to adequately maintain and repair the vehicle in a safe condition -- suggesting they could have avoided the crash with a properly functioning car.

There's more ... Williams points out that "third parties" -- presumably the other cars besides her and the Barsons -- contributed to the hectic scene at the intersection that led to the crash. Williams says those drivers should be held responsible as well.

Video of the crash shows Venus was trying to drive through an intersection when another car turned in front of her, causing her to stop before clearing the intersection. The Barsons T-boned Venus claiming they had the right of way and couldn't avoid her car, which was stopped in an area where it shouldn't have been.

The documents were first obtained by the DailyMail.

Venus Williams' mother says the tennis superstar is still reeling from the car crash that left 1 man dead -- but says she's able to cope because she's a very strong person.

Oracene Price tells TMZ Sports ... Venus is "very much" upset and affected by the June 9 crash in Palm Beach Gardens, FL -- but her family, including Serena, is rallying around her.

When asked what advice she's given Venus on how to deal with the situation, Price says: "It's something that you kinda have to do internally yourself but you'll never forget it. But it'll always be there so you just have to live with it."

As we previously reported, Venus' car was T-boned by another vehicle in an intersection, killing a 78-year-old man. Venus has not been charged with a crime (and likely won't be) but cops are still investigating.

The victim's family has filed a civil suit against Venus -- but Oracene says her daughter isn't worried about it.

As for Serena, Oracene says she's SUPER excited about the pregnancy and can't wait to be a grandmother.

But don't expect the baby to keep Serena off the court too long -- Oracene says Serena is planning to return to pro tennis ASAP because "she likes to compete."

GOAT respect GOAT.

Lindsey Vonn isn't just a huge fan of Roger Federer, she says he's one of her personal heroes ... and praised him as the greatest tennis player of all time!

The ski legend/smokeshow was leaving S.I.'s Fashionable 50 event in L.A. when she told us why Club Fed's the best to ever do it ... over guys like Sampras, Agassi, Nadal and Djokovic.

Might have something to do with the fact RF's just racked up his 19th grand slam singles title despite all sorts of injuries.

Guessing Fed's drive to bounce back inspires Vonn who was banged up pretty badly herself recently ... but continues to beast out in rehab.

Michelle Wie and Genie Bouchard are bringing sexy back to their sports -- giving some golf and tennis unis a Britney Spears themed makeover ... and it's hot.

The two busted out the scissors for a Nike shoot -- and cut their traditional shirts into crop tops ... matched up with thigh high skirts. Wie said the whole thing had a Britney vibe. She's right.

Funny timing considering tennis and golf seem to be cracking down on dress codes lately.

This is way better.

Venus Williams' phone records could be crucial in the wrongful death lawsuit filed against her ... or attorneys for the man who died in the accident think so, anyway.

According to docs, attorneys for Jerome Barson's estate have filed a request for documents from the tennis star. They want all bills for the month of the accident for any smartphones and devices Venus owns.

Sources connected to the case tell us Barson's team wants to make sure Venus was not talking, texting or using her phone in any way in the moments leading up to the June 9 accident win Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

In the surveillance video ... you can see Venus' left elbow resting on the door through an open window -- we've slowed it down, but it's still not clear if she's holding a phone.

The estate's attorney, Michael Steinger, is also requesting prescriptions for any medications Venus may have taken within 72 hours of the accident.

The Venus Williams fatal car crash has gotten weird ... cops are refusing to give the widow of the man who was killed the surveillance video that captured the entire crash ... so claims the woman's legal team.

The video was shot from a security camera at a nearby gated community ... the same place Venus and her sister, Serena, live.

The footage is crucial because of the conflicting stories ... Venus says she had a green light and was traveling at only 5 MPH when she was blocked by traffic in the intersection. Linda Barson, the driver of the other car, claims Venus blew a red light and was speeding.

Barson's lawyers say they have repeatedly asked cops for a copy of the video or even just to view it. They've also filed a subpoena for the video, but they have been shut down -- although they say cops told them today, "Maybe next week."

The lawyers also asked the board at the gated community for a copy of the video but were told no. Lawyers are now in the process of attempting to subpoena the footage.

We're also told cops downloaded information from the black box in Barson's Hyundai, but did not do the same with Venus' SUV. In fact, Barson's lawyers say cops told them they tried to download the SUV's black box but were unable to and they told the tow yard they could release the vehicle to Venus ... as opposed to keeping it as evidence until they could figure out how to download the info.

Warning: if you can't handle insanely gnarly sports injuries ... LOOK AWAY.

American tennis player Bethanie Mattek-Sands went down hard after hurting her right leg during her 2nd round match against Sorana Cirstea at Wimbledon Thursday ... and the sight can't be unseen.

Mattek-Sands -- one half of the #1 ranked doubles team in the world -- was approaching the net when she slipped and immediately started crying and screaming in pain.

Cirstea hopped the net and went to check on her opponent, but was clearly horrified by the injury.

Medics and trainers came over to help Mattek-Sands -- who's had several injuries to the same knee throughout her pro career -- and stretchered her off the court 15 minutes later.

Venus Williams broke down in tears Monday at a press conference when asked about the fatal car crash she's being blamed for ... and was left utterly speechless mid-sentence.

The tennis super star was doing a presser after her opening match win at Wimbledon, and when someone asked her about her car crash last month that left an elderly man dead ... she got very emotional and could not continue speaking.

We broke the story ... Venus is being sued for wrongful death after she was found at fault in a car accident that left 78-year-old Jerome Barson dead. Cops say she impeded oncoming traffic by trying to get past a street light.

1:40 PM PT -- Venus is now breaking her silence ... calling the incident an "unfortunate accident" and insisting she explain what happened from her point of view.

"Ms. Williams entered the intersection on a green light," her attorney Malcolm Cunningham said.

"The police report estimates that Ms. Williams was traveling at 5 mph when Mrs. Barson crashed into her. Authorities did not issue Ms. Williams with any citations or traffic violations."

"This is an unfortunate accident and Venus expresses her deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one."

Venus Williams caused a car accident that sent a 78-year-old man to ICU where he died 14 days later ... according to a police report obtained by TMZ Sports.

The driver of the other car -- the wife of the victim -- told cops she was approaching an intersection westbound in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on June 9 when Venus' northbound SUV suddenly darted into the intersection. The other driver says there was no time to stop and she T-boned Venus' vehicle.

Venus told cops she was trying to make it through the intersection but there was a traffic backup and she had to slow down to a crawl, with her car exposed in the intersection.

The driver's husband, Jerome Barson, suffered head trauma and was taken to a hospital and placed in ICU. He never recovered and died 2 weeks later. Barson's wife was also taken to the hospital with broken bones and other injuries, but survived ... according to her attorney Michael Steinger.

Cops say Venus caused the accident. According to the police report, "[Venus] is at fault for violating the right of way of [the other driver]."

Police say in the report there was no evidence Venus was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They also say there's no evidence she was distracted by an electronic device.

We reached out to Williams for comment -- so far, no word back.