Serena Williams withdraws from French Open with Achilles injury
CGTN
Serena Williams of the United States during her first round match against her compatriot Kristie Ahn during the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France, September 28, 2020. /VCG

Serena Williams of the United States during her first round match against her compatriot Kristie Ahn during the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France, September 28, 2020. /VCG

Serena Williams withdrew from the French Open with an Achilles tendon injury shortly before she was due to face Tsvetana Pironkova in the second round on Wednesday. 

The 39-year-old American, a three-time former champion at Roland Garros, was striving to claim a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam title. She won her first round over fellow American Kristie Ahn. 

"Struggling to walk," Williams told a news conference.  "I felt like I needed to walk with a limp."

"An Achilles injury is not one you want to play with as it can get worse,"she added. 

Williams had suffered the problem during her semi-final loss to Victoria Azarenka in the U.S. Open and said ahead of her Roland Garros campaign that she was not at 100 percent physically but had recovered sufficiently to play. 

Serena Williams of the United States conducts a remote interview behind glass after pulling out of the tournament due to injury in Paris, France, September 30, 2020. /VCG

Serena Williams of the United States conducts a remote interview behind glass after pulling out of the tournament due to injury in Paris, France, September 30, 2020. /VCG

The injury likely means she will miss the rest of 2020 leaving the Australian Open in 2021 as her next chance to equal Margaret Court's all-time majors record.  

"It's more than likely that I won't play another tournament this year." 

But she said she still wanted to continue her career. 

"I love playing tennis. I love competing. It's my job and I'm pretty good at it still... I'm so close to some things and I feel like I'm almost there... that's what keeps me going.” 

Williams also pulled out of the French Open in 2018 before a last-16 clash with Maria Sharapova. 

(With input from agencies)