Serena Williams Drops Out of French Open Due to Muscle Injury

Due to a muscle injury, Serena Williams will have to pull out of her fourth-round match against Maria Sharapoca.

On Monday (June 4), Williams announced she will be dropping out of her French Open after suffering a pectoral muscle injury. That injury, unfortunately, has disabled her ability to serve forcing her to sit out of the tournament.

“I’m beyond disappointed,” Williams told reporters. “I gave up so much, from time with my daughter to time with my family. I put everything on the court … So it’s really difficult to be in this situation.”

The 36-year-old new mother took to Instagram on Monday to thank her fans for their support. “You always live to fight for another chance. I’ve done a lot of fighting and this is just the beginning. Thank you for the support. I love you,” wrote Williams.

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During her last match, the athlete said she started to feel pain while playing. According to ESPN, Williams plans on getting an MRI this Tuesday.

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Williams was to set to go against 31-year-old Sharapova on Monday. This would have been the players’ 22nd match against one another. Williams has won 19 out of their 21 games. Many see the two to be rivals, however, Williams says they’re nothing of the sort. “I don’t have any negative feelings toward her,” she said.

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“I feel like negativity is taught and … women should bring each other up. A lot of people always assume that I feel a different way and that’s not true. If anything, I feel like we should encourage each other and the success of one female should be the inspiration to another.”