By ADAM ZAGORIA
Serena Williams has withdrawn from the French Open with a right arm injury and won’t play Maria Sharapova in their fourth-round match scheduled for Monday.
Williams is 19-2 against No. 28 Sharapova, who advanced to the quarterfinals against No. 3 Garbine Muguruza via walkover.
“I unfortunately have been having some issues with my pec muscle and unfortunately it’s been getting worse to the point where right now I can’t actually serve,” Williams said of the first withdrawal in the middle of a Grand Slam in her career. “It’s kind of hard to play when I can’t physically serve”
She added: “I’m beyond disappointed. I gave up so much, from the time with my daughter and time with my family. I put everything on the court, all for this moment, so it’s really difficult to be in this situation.”
Williams will undergo an MRI on Tuesday. Her status for Wimbledon (July 2-15) remains uncertain.