SERENA WILLIAMS has pulled out of her French Open grudge match with Maria Sharapova.
The American ace, 36, has withdrawn from the eagerly-anticipated clash after claiming she’d “never lose to that little b**** again”.
Sharapova will now advance to the quarter-finals as new-mum Williams has been forced to pullout through injury.
The pair were set to meet for the 22nd time in their long careers, but her arm injury was too much to overcome.
At her press conference on Monday, Williams revealed: “Unfortunately have been having some issues with my pec, my pec muscle.
“[It] has unfortunately been getting worse to the point where right now I can’t actually serve. It’s kind of hard to play when I can’t physically serve.
“It’s very difficult because I love playing Maria. It’s a match I always get up for and her game matches up against mine.
“I’m beyond disappointed. I gave up so much and gave everything on the court, all for this moment.”
FACE OFF Williams, Sharapova prepare to meet again after it’s revealed American claimed she’d ‘never lose to that little b**** again’
She and Sharapova have not met since the Australian Open quarter final of 2016, after which the latter tested positive for banned drug meldonium.
The Russian’s 15-month suspension and Williams’ absence to have her first child delayed them renewing their on-court rivalry, of which the American has dominated with 19 wins out of 21 meetings and her last defeat coming in 2004.
Leave a comment