Serena Williams withdraws from French Open with Achilles injury

 

 Serena Williams has pulled out of the French Open with an Achilles injury ahead of her scheduled second-round match against Tsvetana Pironkova. Williams, 39, was bidding to win a record-equaling 24th grand slam title at Roland Garros having reached the semifinals of the US Open earlier this month.
She said the injury that was sustained in New York hadn't recovered sufficiently for her to compete in Paris.
"I was able to get it somewhat better but just looking long-term at this tournament -- 'will I be able to get through enough matches?' -- and so for me I don't think I could and struggling to walk so that's kind of a telltale sign that I should try to recover," she told reporters Wednesday.
Williams had won her opening match at Roland Garros against Kristie Ahn 7-6 6-0.
Her withdrawal from the tournament means Pironkova, who lost to Williams in the US Open quarterfinals, will go straight through to the third round.