Venus pulls out of Charleston tournament

Venus Williams of the U.S. serves against Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark at the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Florida. March 31, 2008.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Venus Williams has pulled out of next week's WTA tournament in Charleston, increasing speculation about her health ahead of next month's French Open.

The American world number six and six-times grand slam champion also withdrew from this week's Amelia Island event for unspecified medical reasons.

"I regret that I will not be participating in the Family Circle Cup," Williams was quoted as saying in U.S. newspapers on Thursday.

The former world number one still intends to play in the Italian Open starting on May 12.

"I look forward to returning to competitive play in Rome," she said."

The French Open begins in Paris on May 26.

(Reporting by Ed Osmond in Sydney; Editing by Peter Rutherford)