Serena Williams has surgery on her big toes

BANGKOK (AP) — Serena Williams has had surgery on her big toes and withdrew from an exhibition match against top-ranked Victoria Azarenka in Thailand this month.

A medical certificate from Florida podiatrist Jeffrey Rockefeller says Williams "was treated for a chronic foot disorder which involved minor procedures on both of her great toes."

He said she needs to minimize activity to fully recover.

Williams' agent, Jill Smoller, said in an email to Paste BN Sports it was just a "minor thing with nails" and that she just needed a bit of time.

Williams, the WTA player of the year after winning Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and London Olympics, was replaced by Li Na for the exhibition on Dec. 29 in Hua Hin.