Serena Williams Withdraws From Italian Open

Catherin Bellis will take Serena's spot in the Rome draw.

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ROME (AP)—Serena Williams has withdrawn from next week's Italian Open, saying she needs more time to be ''100% ready to compete.''

The tournament made the announcement via Twitter.

Williams returned to the tour briefly this year after a 14-month absence to give birth to her daughter.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion also withdrew from this week's Madrid Open and sitting out Rome puts her status for the French Open, which starts May 27, in doubt.

Williams, a four-time Italian Open champion, has not played since her first-round loss to Naomi Osaka in March at the Miami Open.

Catherine Bellis takes Williams' place in the Rome draw.