At Roland-Garros
Serena Williams will not win her 24th Grand Slam of her career at Roland Garros.
The American said stop, Wednesday, even before setting off for her second round against Tsvetana Pironkova, scheduled for the second rotation at the Central.
“My Achilles heel didn't have time to recover,” she said, after a workout to test herself.
“After the warm-up, I spoke to my coach (Patrick Mouratoglou), and I asked him what he thought about it.
I couldn't play today.
We thought about it and we understood and that it was not the best idea to play today (Wednesday).
It's my Achilles tendon that didn't have enough time to heal after the US Open.
I love to play in Paris and on clay.
I wanted to try to play but I thought I couldn't physically cope.
I have difficulty walking.
During the first round, I started to limp during the first set.
When I'm on the courts, I'm 100% and even better, but with an Achilles tendon injury, you have to be careful, because if it gets worse it can become serious. "
Soon to be 40, she hasn't won a Grand Slam since the Australian Open in 2017
“I love competition and I'm still competitive. I know I can achieve my goals. ”
Serena williams
The American had already actually struggled in her first set against her compatriot, the modest Kristie Ahn, which she won in the tie-break.
The current ninth player in the world thinks she has four to six weeks to regain all of her means.
“There will be two weeks when I am not going to do anything.
After that I will gradually get back to work.
I don't know if I could play before the end of the year.
It's a severe injury that hurts me.
It's a matter of timing and bad luck.
Tennis is my passion.
I love competition and am still competitive.
I know I can achieve my goals ”.
At almost 40, the American has another chance to win a Grand Slam, she who has not won a Major since the 2017 Australian Open. Time is running out ...
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Serena Williams has withdrawn from #RolandGarros with an achilles injury.
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- Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) September 30, 2020
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