Paris (AFP)
Serena Williams, suffering from her left Achilles tendon, withdrew from the tournament on land in Rome, initially scheduled for September 21-27 and finally advanced from September 14 to 21, the world No. 8 announced on the website on Saturday of the WTA.
"To my great regret, I have to withdraw from the Italian Open because of a strained Achilles tendon," said the American player, 23 times victorious in the Grand Slam and defeated in the US semi-final Open this week.
"I am so sensitive to the continued support from my fans in Rome and look forward to coming back soon," added Serena, a four-time Foro Italico winner, who turns 39 on September 26.
Thursday, during her semi-final of the US Open lost against Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, Serena Williams had brought in the doctor in the third set.
"It wasn't much, just kind of a stretch, more in the Achilles tendon. I felt that after a long point, it was pretty intense as the pain. But I'm fine and this is it. only affected me for one point, "then declared the world No. 8 at a press conference.
The younger of the Williams sisters had confirmed, at the same press conference, her intention to participate in the Roland-Garros tournament (September 27-October 11).
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