ROME -- Serena Williams isnt committing to playing in the Italian Open yet as she waits to see how her injured left thigh feels. Corey Linsley Super Bowl Jersey . The top-ranked Williams withdrew before her quarterfinal match at the Madrid Open last week. "Im taking it a day at a time. Well see as the week goes on. I have the rest of the day off and Ill see how I feel tomorrow," Williams said Monday. "I hit some balls today a little bit so Im going to see later tonight how it feels." In Madrid, Williams had her thigh heavily bandaged and said the injury occurred during a first-round victory over Belinda Bencic. She dismissed conjecture of pulling out for precautionary reasons. "I dont do anything out of precaution anymore. You live once and I feel like anything can happen tomorrow," Williams said. "I just physically couldnt play. I was in a lot of pain and just wasnt able to continue. When I play I want to give 100 per cent. "I want to go out there and I want to give the fans everything that they deserve and everything that they come to see," Williams added. "And I just wasnt going to even come close to being there." Williams is the defending champion at the Foro Italico, and also won the title in 2002. Shell also be the defending champion when the French Open starts in two weeks. Compared to earlier in her career, Williams said she really enjoys the red clay of Rome and Paris now. "I love the challenge of having to be more consistent and having to be that much better," she said. Williams is slated to open against either Romina Oprandi of Switzerland or Andrea Petkovic of Germany. Shes one of eight Americans in the draw -- quite a large showing compared to recent years. "Its good timing. Im nearing the end of my career, I guess -- who knows when its going to end, I love playing -- and people get inspired by different Americans maybe, and maybe start to play now," Williams said. "I love seeing all the Americans around." The other Americans in Rome are Varvara Lepchenko, Sloane Stephens, Christina McHale, Lauren Davis, Madison Keys, Alison Riske and Serenas older sister Venus Williams. At 32, Serena Williams marveled at the retirement announcement last week by former No. 1 Dinara Safina, who is 28. "Shes a lot younger than me," Serena said. "I just enjoy it right now. I enjoy my practice and Im starting to look in the mirror like, Wow. Whats wrong with me? I should be starting to not enjoy it so much. But the older I get the more I enjoy it. Its kind of weird but Im going to take it as it is." Dean Lowry Super Bowl Jersey .Shipulin pulled away from Martin Fourcade of France, Simon Eder of Austria and Fredrik Lindstrom of Sweden to finish in 35 minutes 16.8 seconds. Fourcade was 1.2 seconds back in second place to reclaim the overall World Cup lead, with Eder another 0. Dave Robinson Super Bowl Jersey . Smith, an eighth overall pick, had two goals in only 276 minutes of playing time over 16 appearances last season. The left side midfielder played only 43 minutes in three games this season. http://www.officialgreenbaypackerspro.com/Ray-nitschke-packers-jersey/ . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training.Kaupulehu-Kona, HI (SportsNetwork.com) - Despite trailing by as many as four shots on Sunday, Miguel Angel Jimenez caught fire on the back nine as he fired a final-round, 6-under 66 to outlast Mark OMeara and win by one shot at the season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship. Jimenez, who has now won two times in just three career starts on the Champions Tour, finished the week at 17-under-par 199 thanks to six birdies over his final nine holes at Hualalai Golf Club. OMeara, who trailed the leaders Jimenez and Rocco Mediate at the start of the final day, started off on fire and held a 3-shot leadd at one point in the final round, but he could not quite withstand Jimenezs charge. Darnell Savage Jr. Super Bowl Jersey. OMeara carded an 8-under 64 and finished alone in second at 16-under 200. Like Jimenez, Couples also shot a 66 and he finished three shots back at 14- under 202. Mediate, who held the first-round lead and a share of the second- round advantage with Jimenez, carded a 2-under 70 and ended alone in fourth at minus-13. Defending champion Bernhard Langer fired a 5-under 67 to finish tied for fifth at 12-under 204 with Wes Short, Jr. (66), Colin Montgomerie (68) and Olin Browne (69). MORE TO FOLLOW. ' ' '