Injured Venus admits to French Open fear

World number one Venus Williams' withdrawal from the Italian Open on Tuesday has cast a shadow over her French Open preparations.

The American pulled out of the tournament in Rome with an injured wrist just minutes before her second round match with Russian Anna Kournikova was due to start.

With the French Open less that a fortnight away Williams now faces an anxious wait to see if her injured right wrist will heal in time.

"Hopefully it won't be very serious," said Williams. "Hopefully I'll be able to practice soon. It somewhat makes me nervous about the French (Open), that I won't be able to play this week and that I'll have two weeks where I can't play a tournament."

Williams suffered the injury lifting luggage on Sunday but did not feel any ill effects until Tuesday, when she felt a pain during practice which got progressively worse as the day wore on.

Her last minute decision to withdraw left the crowd at the Foro Italico seething.

Even Kournikova admitted she was surprised by Williams' late withdrawal.

"I found out about five minutes before we were due to play," said Kournikova. "It's a pity and it's disappointing for the fans to find out so close to the start of the match."

According to WTA Primary Health Care Provider Philippa Stewart, who treated Williams, the American had no alternative but to leave her decision to the last minute.

"There was still a possibility that she could play so she had a practice session at that time to see whether she was able to play or not," said Stewart. "She wanted to be sure, and she wanted to play."