Paris: The 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams pulled out of the French Open on Wednesday because of an Achilles injury.
The 39-year-old tennis star was scheduled to face Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova in a last-64 clash on Wednesday.
"Serena Williams has withdrawn from #RolandGarros with an achilles injury," French Open official handle tweeted.
Williams sustained the injury during her US Open semi-final defeat to Victoria Azarenka earlier this month. She has said that the issue will require two weeks of rest followed by four to six weeks of rehabilitation.
In the US Open, Azarenka had secured her first win over Williams at a major tournament, halting her quest for a 24th major, after one hour and 55 minutes under the Arthur Ashe roof.
After the victory, Azarenka had said she is so grateful to play against "such a champion" Williams in the semi-finals.