Serena Williams opts out of Italian Open due to injury

Williams had taken a medical time out during her semi-final against Azarenka on Thursday for treatment on her achilles. She eventually lost the match 6-1, 3-6, 3-6.

Rome: Four-time champion Serena Williams withdrew from the upcoming Italian Open on Saturday citing the Achilles issue that bothered her in a loss to Victoria Azarenka in the U.S. Open semifinals, organizers announced Saturday.

"Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, which gets underway behind closed doors at the Foro Italico on Monday, due to an Achilles injury," said the Italian Open.

Serena Williams

"I regretfully must withdraw from the Internazionali BNL d'Italia due to an Achilles strain. I'm so humbled by the continuous support from my fans in Rome and I look forward to making my return soon," Williams is quoted as saying in the tournament's statement.

Italian Open stats

Williams had taken a medical time out during her semi-final against Azarenka on Thursday for treatment on her achilles. She eventually lost the match 6-1, 3-6, 3-6.

The organisers further said that world no.6 and 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu has also pulled out of the tournament. In the men's field, US Open finalists Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev have both withdrawn from the tournament.

Serena Williams

World no.2 Rafael Nadal headlines the men's field. The defending champion will be playing for the first time since he won the Mexican Open in February.