Serena withdraws from Indian Wells with right knee injury: 'I cannot wait to try again next year'

This wasn't the way Serena Williams' return to Indian Wells was supposed to end.

The top-ranked women's tennis player in the world withdrew from her Friday night BNP Paribas Open semifinal against Simona Halep due to a right knee injury, ending her tournament. 

Williams addressed the crowd after Friday's first semifinal between Sabine Lisicki and Jelena Jankovic, which Jankovic won in three sets.

"I'm excited to have been able to start to build wonderful new memories," Williams said. She felt a sharp pain in her knee while serving in practice two days ago, leading to her withdrawal. She added that she could be fine in 48 hours, but wants to proceed with caution early in the tennis season. 

"It wasn't in my best interest to play (Friday)," Williams said. When asked if she'll be in Indian Wells next spring, she said, "I think it's going to be a must." 

Here's her full address to the crowd:

Serena also posted a picture on Instagram with the following message:

4 months ago I began a journey to play Indian Wells and it was amazing. I never dreamed I could do it. But I would not have been able to do this without my fans. Though it ended early due to injury this year, I have to say I cannot wait to try again next year. Thanks everyone. I love you so much!

Williams was back at the tournament in Indian Wells, Calif., for the first time in 14 years, since winning in 2001, when she was heavily booed by the crowd. Scheduled to play her sister in the semifinal that year, Venus was forced to withdraw with a knee injury, leading to a hostile reaction from the crowd.

Serena would win the title, but vowed never to return to the desert for the event until ending her self-imposed exile this year.