Serena Williams’ quest for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam has been extended a little longer. The French Open announced the 39-year-old has been forced out of this year’s tournament due to an achilles injury.
Williams pulled out with the injury before a last 64 clash with Tsvetana Pironkova on Wednesday, thereby handing the Bulgarian a walkover into the third round.
The achilles suffered damage in Serena’s US open semi-final loss to Victoria Azarenka, and Williams explained it had not had time to heal properly.
"I really wanted to give an effort here. (I'm) struggling to walk so that's a tell-tale sign that I should try to recover"
Get well soon, Serena!#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/PekxZ4tSzj
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) September 30, 2020
“I love playing in Paris, I actually adore the clay. It’s s fun for me. And I really wanted to give an effort here,” the three-time champion said in a press conference.
“So it’s my achilles that didn’t have enough time to properly heal after the Open I was able to get it somewhat better but just looking long term in this tournament will I be able to get through enough matches and for me I don’t think I could.
“(I’m) struggling to walk so that’s a tell-tale sign that I should try to recover.”
Source: RT