Serena Williams withdrew from her fourth-round match against Maria Sharapova at the 2018 French Open just an hour before it was scheduled to start due to an injury. She told reporters that she has been having issues with her pectoral muscle and that treatment was unsuccessful.
Williams explained the injury prevented her from being able to serve the ball.
"I can’t actually serve so it’s actually hard to play when I can’t physically serve."
Williams said that she was "beyond disappointed" because she "gave up so much from time with my daughter and time with my family." She said she was looking forward to playing Sharapova in the round of 16.
“It’s very difficult because I love playing Maria. It’s a match I always get up for."
Williams defeated 11-seeded Julia Gorges in straight sets to advance to the Round of 16. Sharapova will play the winner of the match between number three seed Garbine Muguruza and Lesia Tsurenko.