PARIS - Serena Williams withdrew from the French Open on today because of an ankle injury.

Williams, the 2002 French Open champion, retired during a quarterfinal match at Amelia Island in April and then missed the German Open in early May because of a sprained left ankle.

She returned at the Italian Open on May 11, but moved poorly in a 7-6 (2), 6-1 loss to Francesca Schiavone in her first match. Afterward, Williams called it the worst loss of her career.

Williams, ranked fourth in the world, is 15-4 this year and has reached at least the quarterfinals in her last four appearances at Roland Garros.

Russia's Elena Dementieva replaced the six-time Grand Slam winner as the fourth-seeded player in the French Open draw. Lindsay Davenport is the No. 1 seed.

The two-week, clay-court tournament begins Monday.