Serena Williams Withdraws From French Open—Wrap‑up (Just a Pain)
On a chilly June morning in Paris, the tennis world was shaken when Serena Williams, 36 and a record‑setting 23‑time Grand Slam champ, announced she’d be dropping out of the French Open due to an injury. Her last match‑timetable in the Vienna‑like courts had said: “No 4th‑round showdown with Maria Sharapova today.”
What Went Down?
- Serena suffered a pectoralis muscle tear while beating Julia Goerges in the third round.
- She’s “unable to serve at all” – and that’s a pretty big deal in tennis.
- She’ll stay in Paris for scans to figure out the timeline of her lay‑off.
- Wimbledon, which kicks off in roughly a month, might still be a sideline glitch—serious business.
Feelings About the Pull‑out
“I’m beyond disappointed,” Serena admitted, her voice tinged with that classic mix of frustration and grief. “I’ve given up so much time with my daughter and my family to chase this moment. It’s hard to be in this spot.”
Quick Recap of Serena’s Highlights
- First Grand Slam in two years since her 2017 Australian Open win.
- Only her third tournament of this year—she stepped back after welcoming her daughter Olympia last September.
- Never lost on court to Maria Sharapova since 2004, winning 18 consecutive times.
What’s At Stake for Sharapova?
Sharapova, the former champion of this Parisian court in 2012 and 2014, was set to challenge Serena in the fourth round—a dash of drama after Serena took shots at her e‑book, calling it “100% hearsay.” But the match didn’t happen. It’s now a push toward the quarter‑finals.
Sharapova’s path now leads to whoever she’s set to face: potentially 2016 champion Garbiñe Muguruza or Lesia Tsurenko from Ukraine in the semi‑finals. No doubt the buzz will keep building.
Other Shotoids
- Sharapova earned a 15‑month doping ban after a false positive for meldonium in Melbourne.
- Her record of slipping in the quarter‑final, only to win against Serena, reminds tennis fans that the game’s always a flip‑side.
In short, the Paris tournament will carry on, but the buzzing chatter will have Serena at the centre of the conversation—once she fully recovers. Meanwhile, the rest of the cohort will use this as a learning moment: you can’t play a champion who can’t serve.
