Updated June 05, 2018 00:32:34

Photo: Serena Williams told a news conference she had a pectoral muscle injury. (Reuters: Benoit Tessier)

Serena Williams has pulled out of the French Open with a pectoral muscle injury, shortly before her fourth round match against Maria Sharapova.

The 36-year-old, who was making a comeback after a maternity break, told a news conference she had a pectoral muscle injury.

"Unfortunately, I'm having some issues with my pec muscle. Right now I can't actually serve it's kind of hard to play," the 23-time Grand Slam champion said.

"I'm having an MRI [scan] tomorrow, I'm going to stay here to see the doctors and see as many specialists as I can. I won't know [how serious the injury is] until I get those results."

Williams had worked hard to get back in shape and was making her Grand Slam comeback at the French Open following the birth of her daughter Alexis Olympia last September.

"Physically, I'm doing great. It hasn't been easy. I sacrificed so much to be at this event. I'm going to continue to get better," she said.

"I had such a wonderful performance in my first Grand Slam back."

Reuters

Topics: sport, tennis, france

First posted June 05, 2018 00:10:31