Serena Williams says she will ‘definitely’ be travelling to Paris for the French Open despite sustaining an Achilles injury during her US Open semi-final defeat to Victoria Azarenka.
Williams insisted the issue had little bearing on the result but the incident came at a crucial moment in the match and ultimately, played a role in her being broken – the only break in the deciding set.
‘I just was stretching,’ said Williams after the 1-6 6-3 6-3 defeat. ‘Like, I ran for a shot. Off that first step that I took, it was a long point – it wasn’t my ankle, it was actually my Achilles. It just overstretched. It was pretty intense. Then that was that.
‘I mean, it feels fine. I don’t think it had anything to do. I think Victoria played well. It didn’t affect my play ultimately at all, just for that one point. Yeah, it’s fine. I’m fine, yeah.’
Azarenka, the two-time Grand Slam champion from Belarus, was already in the ascendancy.
Having lost the first set 6-1, she roared back to secure a first Slam win over the 23-time major winner.
Reflecting on the defeat, Williams added: ‘I started really strong. Then she just kept fighting.
‘She just changed and started playing better and better. Maybe I took a little too much off the gas pedal at some point.
‘I mean, it’s obviously disappointing. At the same time, you know, I did what I could today. I feel like other times I’ve been close and I could have done better. Today I felt like I gave a lot.
‘Yeah, I mean, I’m definitely going to be going to Paris.’
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