Serena Williams’ much anticipated clash with Maria Sharapova at the French Open won’t happen after all, the 36-year-old American pulling out because of an arm injury.
The 23-time grand slam winner had played herself into form through three rounds in her grand slam comeback, but she took to the main Philippe-Chatrier court Monday to let the crowd know she couldn’t compete.
Williams said she couldn’t physically serve with the pectoral injury, adding she felt the injury during her third-round singles match against Julia Goerges.
The US star will have an MRI scan on Tuesday.
“I unfortunately been having some issues with my pec muscle … right now I can’t actually serve so it’s actually hard to play when I can’t physically serve,” said Williams.
The French Open marked Williams’ third tournament of 2018 — and first since March — after she gave birth to daughter Olympia in September. None of those tournaments came on clay.
It means Sharapova, who held a 2-19 record against Williams and last beat her 14 years ago, moves into the quarterfinals against either Garbine Muguruza or Lesia Tsurenko.
