ROME -- Defending champion Jelena Dokic has slammed world No. 1 Venus Williams for pulling out of the Italian Open on Tuesday at the last moment with a wrist injury.

Williams withdrew minutes before she was due on court against Russian Kournikova having hurt her right wrist while picking up luggage three days ago.

"I would criticize her as it was really bad for that (late withdrawal) to happen at such a good tournament," Yugoslav Dokic said on Wednesday. "It's so tough to so many players here and for her to pull out of the top half there makes it so much different."

Following William's withdrawal, Belgians Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters have been installed as favorites to reach the last four of the tournament from the top half.

But bottom half of the draw has the likes of Jennifer Capriati, Venus's younger sister Serena, Amelie Mauresmo and Dokic all battling it out to reach the semis.

"It's not a good situation for the tournament and the draw also, but that's the way it happened and that's the way the rules are," Dokic said.

Kournikova, who had to play Lilia Osterloh in Tuesday's evening match instead of Venus Williams, was also unimpressed.

"I found out about five minutes before we were due to play," Kournikova said. "It's a pity and it's disappointing for the fans to find out so close to the start of the match."

But Venus found some support from last year's French Open finalist Clijsters.

"She obviously wanted to play because she's going for the No.1 spot. If she had been able to play she would have been there," said No. 3 Clijsters.

According to WTA Primary Health Care Provider Philippa Stewart, who treated Williams, the American had no alternative but to leave her decision to the last minute.

"There was still a possibility that she could play so she had a practice session at that time to see whether she was able to play or not," Stewart said. "She wanted to be sure, and she wanted to play."