Serena Williams won't commit to Italian Open as she waits to see how injured left thigh feels

Serena Williams, of the United States, arrives for a press conference ahead of her participation at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, Monday, May 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca) (The Associated Press)

Serena Williams, of the United States, attends a press conference ahead of her participation to the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, Monday, May 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca) (The Associated Press)

ROME – Serena Williams isn't committing to playing in the Italian Open yet as she waits to see how her injured left thigh feels.

Williams withdrew before her quarterfinal match at the Madrid Open last week.

She says "I'm taking it a day at a time. We'll see as the week goes on. I have the rest of the day off and I'll see how I feel tomorrow. ... I hit some balls today a little bit so I'm going to see later tonight how it feels."

Williams is the defending champion at the Foro Italico, and also won the title in 2002.

Rome is the last key clay-court warmup for the French Open, which starts in two weeks.

The top-ranked Williams is slated to open against Romina Oprandi or Andrea Petkovic.