Serena Williams withdrew from the French Open on Wednesday citing a left Achilles injury.
She said the injury is unlikely to be fully healed in time for her to compete in another tournament in 2020. Williams, 39, bowed out after attempting to warm up for her second-round match at Roland Garros against Tsvetana Pironkova.
“I really wanted to give an effort here. It’s my Achilles that didn’t have enough time to properly heal after the (U.S.) Open,” Williams said. “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? For me, I don’t think I could. Struggling to walk, so that’s kind of a telltale sign I should try to recover.”
A three-time winner at the French Open, Williams’ injury means her streak of 13 consecutive years reaching at least one major final (2007-19) ends. She is one away from Chris Evert’s career record of 14 straight years in a Grand Slam final.
Williams was first hurt in a semifinal loss to Victoria Azarenka in the U.S. Open earlier this month, causing her to back out of the Italian Open.
Not ready to officially say her season is over, Williams called the injury pretty “bad timing and bad luck” on Wednesday. She said it “more than likely” ends her season. –Field Level Media ()