Serena Williams withdraws from Open GDF SUEZ

World No.1 Serena Williams has pulled out of next week’s Open GDF SUEZ in Paris, citing a leg injury she sustained on the way to winning her fifth Australian Open title last month.

The 28-year-old American has won the Paris tournament twice, in 1999 and 2003, both times beating France’s Amelie Mauresmo in the final. By the way, retired Mauresmo will be honored Wednesday night in a ceremony at the Open GDF SUEZ which she won last year.

With Williams withdrawing Russia’s Elena Dementieva has become the highest-ranked player in the tournament.