SERENA WILLIAMS has pulled out of the French Open through injury, meaning she will not equal Margaret Court’s Majors record this year.
The American has been carrying an injury since the US Open earlier this month and will no longer take part in the clay-court Slam in Paris.
The 39-year-old injured her left Achilles tendon during the semi-final defeat to Victoria Azarenka in New York.
The No.6 seed was due to meet Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova second on Court Philippe-Chatrier this afternoon.
But she has decided to forfeit, saying it is unlikely she will play another match until 2021.
Williams said: “I think I need four to six weeks of sitting and doing nothing and at least just two weeks of sitting down.
“After that two weeks I’ve been told I need to do a little training.
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to play another tournament this year.’
“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.”
Australian Court, 78, leads the way with 24 Slam titles and Williams has been trying to equal that tally ever since she returned to professional tennis after giving birth.
Williams has lost in four major finals and given she is in her 40th year, she is running out of time to finish her career as the joint-record holder for most tennis Slams.
