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Serena Williams withdraws from French Open with Achilles injury

September 30, 2020. Summarized by summa-bot.

PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 28: Serena Williams of The United States of America looks on during her Women's Singles first round match against Kristie Ahn of The United States of America on day two of the 2020 French Open at Roland Garros on September 28, 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Serena Williams has pulled out of the French Open with an Achilles injury ahead of her scheduled second-round match against Tsvetana Pironkova.

(CNN)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.

"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.

READ: 'Wouldn't give to a dog to chew': Tennis players complain about new French Open balls

Her withdrawal from the tournament means Pironkova, who lost to Williams in the US Open quarterfinals, will go straight through to the third round.

"Definitely in the second set (of the first-round match) I felt like I needed to walk with a limp and that was no good," said Williams, who has won three titles in Paris.

READ: Williams defeats Ahn in French Open first round

The French Open was originally scheduled to start in May but moved to a September start date amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Williams' withdrawal means her next opportunity to equal Margaret Court's record of 24 majors will be the Australian Open, due to begin in January.

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