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ROME -- Serena Williams isnt committing to playing in the Italian Open yet as she waits to see how her injured left thigh feels. 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." Authentic Maurice Canady Jersey . The outdoor event will be played on Dec. 31 between alumni of the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers at Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Authentic Tyus Bowser Jersey .ca look back at each of the Top 10 stories of 2013. Today, we look back at LeBron James and the Miami Heat winning their second straight NBA championship. http://www.cheapravensjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-greg-senat-jersey .ca. Kerry, In the closing minutes of the second period of Game 4 between Pittsburgh and Columbus there were the remnants of two broken sticks behind the Pittsburgh net. Authentic Marshal Yanda Jersey .S. -- Carl-Antoine Delisle snapped a tie in the third period with his second goal of the game to lead the Tigres past Cape Breton 4-3 in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action Wednesday as Victoriaville won its eighth in a row. Authentic Michael Pierce Jersey . -- Justin Verlander took a no-hit bid into the sixth inning and won his fourth straight decision, leading Detroit over the Kansas City Royals 9-4 Sunday and extending the Tigers winning streak to a season-high five games.HAMILTON - Craig Butler swears he wont be showing off his Grey Cup ring in the Hamilton Tiger-Cats dressing room. But the Canadian defensive back, who signed a three-year contract with Hamilton after spending his first three CFL seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, promises hell bring his winning attitude to a team he feels is already on a roll. "I want to bring some leadership to the team," said the 25-year-old native of London, Ont., and former Western Ontario Mustangs star. Its probably best to keep the ring under wraps. It would only rub salt in a wound after Hamilton lost the championship game 45-23 to the Roughriders. Butler was a big part of their success. He led the Grey Cup champions last season with 60 tackles and also had four interceptions and is happy to list his strengths. "Experience. Versatility. Passion. I love this game," he said. "Its my job but I love it more than anything. "Im going to bring that to practice every single day and a winning attitude." Butler was among the three free-agent signings Hamilton unveiled Thursday. The others included: defensive back Brandon Stewart from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and offensive lineman Steve Myddelton from the B.C. Lions. Hamilton has also signed import receiver Cary Koch from the Edmonton Eskimos and former Roughriders linebacker Abraham. The club re-signed Canadian linebacker Marc Beswick, the East Divisions top special-teams player last year, just before he was set to hit the open market Tuesday. And prior to the start of free agency, the Ticats signed quarterback Zach Collaros, who spent the last two seasons with the Toronto Argonauts before being released by the CFL club. But Butler was a big catch for Hamilton as well. He acknowledged it was hard leaving Saskatchewan, the team that drafted him in the second round, 12th overall and where he got that Grey Cup ring. But he said there were several factors that drew him to Hamilton, including the success they had last year in making it too the championship game.dddddddddddd He points to the coaches, locker room, overall organization and the teams new stadium thats scheduled to open in July. Butler has shown versatility on defence — four different positions since his university days — and says he doesnt care where he plays. "I like winning. I mean I like wanting to win championships and thats really my main goal," he said. "Wherever they play me Im happy with it. As long as Im on the field and Im making plays and contributing, Im all good with it." Stewart and Myddelton also say they feel theyve joined a winning organization. Stewart, 27, who has spent the past five seasons with Winnipeg, also brings versatility to the defence. While hes excited about playing with Butler, Stewart cant wait to perform for for Austin and defensive co-ordinator Orlondo Steinauer, a fellow Seattle native. "Hes going to make my game a lot better," Stewart said of Steinauer. The veteran says Hamilton is a good fit. "And maybe (Ill) bring a little attitude to the field, a little energy," he said. He started all 18 games for Winnipeg last year, recording 47 defensive tackles and 16 special-teams tackles and one interception. Myddelton, 27, will add experience to an offensive line missing its centre and leader in Marwan Hage, selected by Ottawa in the expansion draft, and Peter Dyakowski, who will miss much of next season due to knee surgery. "They have holes to fill, and thats my job now," said the six-foot-three, 305-pound native of Barrie, Ont. Hes entering his fifth CFL season (3 1/2 with Calgary before he was traded to B.C. midway through last year). He says being close to home and playing for a well-respected coaching staff drew him to the Ticats. "The success the team had last year under the adverse circumstances they had (playing at the University of Guelph), I think this team is headed in the right direction and Im excited to be a part of that," he said. ' ' '