Serena Williams WITHDRAWS from French Open due to achilles injury and says she’s struggling to WALK 

Serena Williams has withdrawn from the French Open before her second round clash against Tsvetana Pironkova, due to an achilles injury. 

The 23-time major winner, who sustained the injury in the US Open semi-finals three weeks ago, was emotional in a press conference on Wednesday morning announcing the news, admitting she was ‘struggling to walk.’

The withdrawal means that Williams, 39, will once again have to put on hold her hopes of equalling Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.  

Serena Williams has withdrawn from the French Open today due to an achilles injury

Williams has pulled out after admitting she thought she could not go deep in the tournament

 ‘After I warmed up – it was a very short warm-up – I talked to my coach and I was like, “What do you think?”‘ Williams said. 

‘We both thought about it and we really realised that it likely wasn’t the best for me to play today. It’s my achilles which didn’t have enough time to properly heal after the US Open.

‘I was able to get it somewhat better but just looking long term in this apportionment will I be able to get through enough matches? 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.’ 

The 39-year-old announced the news at a press conference in Paris on Wednesday morning

‘I love playing in Paris, I really wanted to give an effort here. My Achilles didn’t have time to properly heal. I’m struggling to walk so that’s kind of a tell-tale sign that I should try to recover.’ 

Despite her injury, Williams did manage to win her Roland Garros opener against compatriot Kristie Ahn on Monday, winning in straight-sets.  

But Pironkova will now receive a walkover to the third round after Williams’ withdrawal and the American will now focus on being fully fit for the next scheduled Grand Slam, the Australian Open in January.