Serena Williams’ French Open preparations have suffered a blow after she was forced to pull out of the Italian Open due to an Achilles injury.

The 39-year-old’s bid for a record-equalling 24th grand slam singles title ended with a defeat to Victoria Azarenka at the US Open on Thursday, a match in which she took a medical timeout to have her left ankle re-taped due to the problem.

“I regretfully must withdraw from The Internazionali BNL d’Italia due to an Achilles strain,” Williams, a four-times winner in Rome, said.

“I’m so humbled by the continuous support from my fans in Rome and I look forward to making my return soon.”

Double Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu and top-ranked Ashleigh Barty have also pulled out of the tournament.

Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev, who will contest the US Open men’s final on Sunday, have also withdrawn from the event.