Serena Williams withdraws from Italian Open with Achilles injury

Four-time champion Serena Williams withdrew from upcoming Italian Open citing Achilles issue that bored her in a loss to Victoria Azarenka in U.S. Open semifinals, organizers at Foro Italico anunced on Saturday.

Williams took a medical timeout for a tape job on her Achilles during her three-set loss on Thursday.

“I regretfully must withdraw from (Italian Open) due to an Achilles strain,” Williams said. “I’m so humbled by continuous support from my fans in Rome and I look forward to making my return soon.”

Italian Open, which was rescheduled from May due to coronavirus pandemic, begins on Monday.

Azarenka remained entered for Rome and was drawn to play Venus Williams in first round.

In men’s tournament, U.S. Open finalists Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev withdrew, as did Daniil Medvedev, who lost to Thiem in semifinals in New York.

Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal headlines field in Italian capital, marking his return to tennis after a seven-month layoff. He has been practicing in Rome for several days.

Nadal was drawn a tough opening match against fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreño Busta, who was beaten by Zverev in U.S. Open semifinals. Nadal and Carreño Busta have byes in first round — Nadal due to his ranking and Carreño Busta because of his performance in New York.

Top-ranked vak Djokovic, who was disqualified from U.S. Open, is also entered.

clay-court tournament in Rome is a warmup event for French Open, which starts on Sept. 27.

Im credits: AP