KRISTIE AHN

“If it was my knee, that would be more really devastating for me. I feel like my body is actually doing really, really well,” said Williams, who turned 39 on Saturday. “That’s disappointing on many levels, of course,” said John Isner, the 21st-seeded man who was beaten in four sets by 20-year-old American qualifier Sebastian Korda. Williams took a long pause, clutched at that leg and then took a medical timeout so a trainer could wrap it. “I’m so close to some things, I just feel like I’m almost there," she said, "so I think that’s what keeps me going.”___AP Tennis Writer Fendrich reported from Washington; AP Sports Writer Pugmire reported from Paris.

Serena Williams of the U.S., center, leaves after a video link press conference in which she announced her withdrawal from the tournament because of an Achilles injury prior to her second round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)PARIS – Saying she is “struggling to walk,” Serena Williams ended her latest bid for a 24th Grand Slam title and withdrew from the French Open before her second-round match Wednesday because of an injured Achilles heel. Williams said it is “more than likely” she will not play another tournament in 2020. "And struggling to walk, so that’s kind of a tell-tale sign that I should try to recover.”___AP Sports Writer Pugmire reported from Paris; AP Tennis Writer Fendrich reported from Washington. ___More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/apf-Tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Jennifer Brady of the U.S. prepares to serve against Denmark's Clara Tauson in the first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020. But tennis players cannot home-work. And so, as now-rare world travelers, they've also become unwitting first-hand witnesses of how the pandemic is battering the airline industry. But the novelty wore off after near-constant flying became part of her tennis job, until “I really didn't like it, especially long-haul." “The best thing during the lockdown was that I didn’t have to go on the plane.”___More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/apf-Tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Serena Williams of the U.S. screams in the first round match of the French Open tennis tournament against Kristie Ahn of the U.S. at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. Both began this French Open with straight-set victories against overmatched foes in Court Philippe Chatrier on Monday. Nadal began his attempt to pull even with rival Roger Federer for the most by a man, 20, by beating Egor Gerasimov of Belarus 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. He'll be aiming for his 18th major championship at this French Open, which he finally gets underway Tuesday with his first Grand Slam match since being disqualified at the U.S. Open. Among the other key results on Day 2 of a chilly, pandemic-postponed French Open were losses by 2019 runner-up Marketa Vondrousova, who was beaten 6-1, 6-2 by Polish teenager Iga Swiatek; three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber; 2017 U.S. Open finalist and 2018 French Open semifinalist Madison Keys; and men’s seeds No.

The 2009 French Open champion was beaten by Russian countrywoman Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 2-6, 6-1. But the 2016 French Open champion held firm to beat Tamara Zidansek 7-5, 4-6, 8-6. He beat Reilly Opelka 6-4, 6-4, 6-3. The new roof over Court Philippe Chatrier is again proving its worth on Day 2 of the French Open. The court is hosting the only play as rain thwarted the start of all other matches at Roland Garros.

Serena Williams, of the United States, top taps rackets with Kristie Ahn, of the United States, after winning their first-round match of the US Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)NEW YORK The Latest on the U.S. Open tennis tournament:The fourth day of play is underway at the U.S. Open, with Serena Williams, reigning Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, Andy Murray and Dominic Thiem among those scheduled to take the court. Williams faces Margarita Gasparyan, who is ranked No. The forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with a high of 76 degrees. ___More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/apf-Tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

___7:10 p.m.Serena Williams began her latest attempt to win a 24th Grand Slam singles trophy by beating Kristie Ahn in the first round at the U.S. Open. 3 and hoping to tie Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles. Pella reached the third round of the U.S. Open in 2018 and the third round of the Australian Open earlier this year. She is a seven-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist, including at the U.S. Open in 2013 and 2018. He's the first unranked player to win a Grand Slam match since Nicolas Kiefer at Wimbledon in 2007.

LEXINGTON, Ky. Serena Williams was calm in a return more dramatic than some might have expected even after a long layoff. Williams needed to rally to win in her comeback following a six-month layoff, beating unseeded American Bernarda Pera 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in Tuesday's first round of the Top Seed Open. Williams advanced to a second-round showdown against older sister Venus, who dispatched Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 6-2. The Croatian-born Pera eventually evened the set and had Williams down 0-40 at 4-4 before Williams, 38, rallied to stay on serve. She played really well.Williams needed another rally to win the next game before getting a hard-earned break to force a third set.