ROME — Trying not to make the same mistake as last year and let an injury affect her chances at Roland Garros, top-ranked Serena Williams withdrew from the Italian Open on Thursday with a right elbow problem.
Williams, the defending champion, made the announcement before she was scheduled to face American qualifier Christina McHale in the third round.
"We have to make the right decisions for the future, not for now," Williams said. "You know I hate, hate quitting, and this isn't quitting, it's just making a good decision.
"I was really injured last year, actually, and ended up taking like five days off before Paris and practicing just a day or two before the tournament started," Williams added.