MADRID // World No 1 Serena Williams pulled out of her quarter-final at the Madrid Open against Petra Kvitova on Friday with a thigh injury, but said she intends to play in Rome next week.
The 17-time grand slam champion had worn heavy tape on her left leg in straight-set victories over Belinda Bencic, Peng Shuai and Carla Suarez Navarro this week.
“I have a left-thigh injury and, unfortunately, have to withdraw from this year’s Madrid Open,” she said.
“It happened during my first-round match. It started to get better, but most importantly right now, I just need some time to rest and recover.
“It’s beyond words. It’s so frustrating.”
Initially, tournament organisers in Madrid ruled her out for next week’s Internazionale BNL D’Italia in Rome, but the American insisted she will try to defend her title in the Italian capital.
“I am planning to play in Rome,” she said. “Fortunately, I have a bye next week, So I will have an extra day of rest.
“For now, I will take it one day at a time and take advantage of some extra rest.”
Her withdrawal is was the latest setback to the tournament after two of the top four seeds in the men's bracket – Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer – withdrew due to injury and family reasons, respectively.
Meanwhile, fifth-seeded Kvitova will face Simona Halep or Ana Ivanovic in the last four on Saturday.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Fast facts on Neil Armstrong’s personal life:
- Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930, in Wapakoneta, Ohio
- He earned his private pilot’s license when he was 16 – he could fly before he could drive
- There was tragedy in his married life: Neil and Janet Armstrong’s daughter Karen died at the age of two in 1962 after suffering a brain tumour. She was the couple’s only daughter. Their two sons, Rick and Mark, consulted on the film
- After Armstrong departed Nasa, he bought a farm in the town of Lebanon, Ohio, in 1971 – its airstrip allowed him to tap back into his love of flying
- In 1994, Janet divorced Neil after 38 years of marriage. Two years earlier, Neil met Carol Knight, who became his second wife in 1994
Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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Sour Grapes
Author: Zakaria Tamer
Publisher: Syracuse University Press
Pages: 176
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Revibe
Started: 2022
Founders: Hamza Iraqui and Abdessamad Ben Zakour
Based: UAE
Industry: Refurbished electronics
Funds raised so far: $10m
Investors: Flat6Labs, Resonance and various others
SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
AWARDS
Best Male black belt: Lucas Protasio (BRA)
Best female black belt: Julia Alves (BRA)
Best Masters black belt: Igor Silva (BRA)
Best Asian Jiu-Jitsu Federation: Kazakhstan
Best Academy in UAE: Commando Group, Abu Dhabi
Best International Academy: Commando Group, Abu Dhabi
African Player of the Year: Katiuscia Yasmira Dias (GNB)
Oceanian Player of the Year: Anton Minenko (AUS)
European Player of the Year: Rose El Sharouni (NED)
North and Central American Player of the Year: Alexa Yanes (USA)
Asian Player of the Year: Zayed Al Katheeri (UAE)
Rookie of the Year: Rui Neto (BRA)Rui Neto (BRA)
