Serena Williams’ 17-match winning streak ended on Saturday after she decided to pull out of her semifinal match against Li Na of China at the 2012 Italian Open, citing lower back injury. The former world number one said that she already started feeling the pain earlier this week.
“It was feeling a little stiff and I don’t think this is the right moment to force (it),” she said.
“I just want to relax and get ready for the next few months,” she added.
Williams said that the withdrawal was more of a precautionary measure since the French Open 2012 tournament is scheduled to start in a week and she wants to be ready for the claycourt major in Paris.
“This is a good week to get better and I’m confident that I’ll be 100 percent,” she said.
Williams is guaranteed the world number five ranking on Monday. She won consecutive titles in Charleston, South Carolina, and Madrid, including the two matches in Fed Cup.
