Twenty three-time Grand Slam winner, Serena Williams, has withdrawn from the Italian Open due to a knee injury.
In a statement on Tuesday, she said that she would still be competing in the French Open later in May. The French Open starts on 26 May.
” #Serena, due to a knee injury, had to withdraw from the tournament. Venus #Williams gains access to the next round. #ibi19” the official Twitter account of Italian Open tweeted.
😔 #Serena, due to a knee injury, had to withdraw from the tournament. Venus #Williams gains access to the next round. #ibi19 pic.twitter.com/fxHARjzSqD
— Internazionali Bnl (@InteBNLdItalia) May 14, 2019
“I must withdraw from the Italian Open due to pain in my left knee,” Serena said in a statement.
Set to play her sister Venus Williams in the second round, she said she would be concentrating on rehab now.
“I will miss the fans and competition at one of my favourite tournaments. I’ll be concentrating on rehab and look forward to seeing you all at the French Open and next year in Rome, ” the player added.
Venus Williams will now face American Sloane Stephens in the third round.
Serena is a four-time Italian Open winner and holds the record of most number of wins by a player in the tournament.