French Open 2018: Serena Williams withdraws from 4th round clash vs Maria Sharapova

Paris: Ace American tennis player Serena Williams on Monday withdrew from her round of 16 clash against Maria Sharapova here on Monday.

Williams announced her withdrawal at a news conference at Roland Garros on Monday.

Williams' voice quivered as she said she can't serve because of a problem with her tight pectoral muscle.

She and Sharapova were scheduled to play a fourth-round match Monday.

“I am going to come up on surfaces that are my absolute favourites to play on and do best on so hopefully I will continue to heal.”

“I made a promise that if I am not 50% or 60% I wouldn’t play,” she said at a press conference here.

“It was a great effort to come back. I love tennis and I love being out here.
“I have never had this injury before. I have never felt this in my life. It is so painful. I don’t know how to manage it yet. If you have had an injury before, you know how to manage it.

“I am clueless as to what to do. I will do what the doctors tell me and get on with the evaluation," she added.