Viral illness forces Serena Williams to withdraw from Wuhan Open

Medical personnel assist Serena Williams during her match against France’s Alize Cornet at the Wuhan Open. PHOTO/AFP

Top seeded Serena Williams retired from her second-round match due to a viral illness at the Wuhan Open on Tuesday.

The world No. 1 had to be helped from the court as she retired ill during her first set. Williams had her temperature and blood pressure checked before retiring while 6-5 up against France’s Alize Cornet, after just over an hour on court.

It brought an abrupt end to Williams’ first match since she won her 18th Grand Slam title at the US Open in New York 2 weeks ago.

I felt dizzy and nauseous in the first set and unfortunately couldn’t continue,” Williams said in a brief statement in which she apologized to fans.

The incident is another heavy blow for the Wuhan Open, after poster girl and hometown hero Li Na quit tennis over injuries on the eve of the tournament.