Serena in race against time

Paris – Serena Williams (above) admits her dream of an eighth Wimbledon title could either be saved or shattered in a Paris doctor’s office this week.

The 36-year-old American stunned the French Open on Monday by withdrawing from her eagerly anticipated last-16 grudge match with bitter rival Maria Sharapova just minutes before the two icons of the women’s game were due to clash on Court Philippe Chatrier.

A pectoral muscle injury had slammed the brakes on the ruthless Williams’ serving arm so she decided not to take up the opportunity to extend her 14-year, 18-match win streak over the Russian.

“So I’m going to get an MRI tomorrow (yesterday). I’m going to stay here and see some of the doctors, see as many specialists as I can,” said the 23-time Grand Slam title winner.

“And I won’t know that (her Wimbledon status) until I get those results.”

In Paris, Williams was playing her first Grand Slam since winning the 2017 Australian Open when she was two months pregnant and first since she gave birth to daughter Olympia in September.

However, in the end, her Paris schedule caught up with her.

Since Tuesday last week, she had played six matches in six days, with her singles duties alternating with doubles alongside sister Venus.

That compared to just four matches – in Indian Wells and Miami this year – since her 2017 Australian Open win.