Serena Williams admitted she was still feeling the lingering effects of an Achilles problem Saturday but said it would not derail her protracted pursuit of a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam at the French Open. The American is a three-time winner at Roland Garros but remains one major triumph short of Margaret Court's all-time mark after losing in the semi-finals of the US Open earlier this month. She has yet to play on clay this season and withdrew from the Italian Open in Rome last week due to a left Achilles tendon injury sustained in New York.

"I didn't play any tune-ups, which is really rare. But this whole year has been really rare," said Williams. "After New York I flew to France and I've just been training at (coach Patrick Mouratoglou's) academy, mostly rehabbing, trying to be ready. "I wouldn't be playing if I didn't think I could perform," she added. "I'm not at 100% physically. But I don't know any athlete that ever plays physically when they're feeling perfect. That's just something I think as athletes we have to play with."