Serena Williams has reportedly pulled out of her fourth round match against Maria Sharapova at the French Open due to a pectoral muscle injury.
Serena made the announcement today during a press conference, citing her inability to serve the ball because of the right pectoral issue which she encountered during her third round match against Julia Gorges. She is scheduled to have an MRI on Tuesday, according to ESPN.
“Right now I can’t actually serve,” said Williams, according to the New York Times. “It’s kind of hard to play when I can’t physically serve.”
"It is hard to play when I can't physically serve. I've never had this injury before, I've never felt it in my life and it was so painful."
"It's very difficult because I love playing Maria," Williams said, per USA Today. "It’s a match I always get up for. Her game matches up so well against mine."
"I'm beyond disappointed," Williams said, per ESPN. "I gave up so much, from time with my daughter to time with my family. I put everything on the court. ... So it's really difficult to be in this situation."
The French Open was Serena's first major tournament since returning from maternity leave. She had one 18 of her last 19 matches against Sharapova, who recently returned from a doping ban. Serena, 36, also competed in doubles with her sister Venus, but the duo lost on Sunday to Andreja Klepac and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.
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