Australian star Lleyton Hewitt has confirmed he will not be taking part in this year's French Open, which begins on Monday.
The former world number one has failed to recover from a rib injury he sustained last week and revealed he was withdrawing so as not to further aggravate the problem at Roland Garros.
"I have decided to take my doctor's advice and not play next week as returning too early runs the risk of prolonging my recovery period," said Hewitt.
"It's obviously disappointing but I am taking a longer-term approach."
Hewitt, who has never won French Open title, insists he is determined to return to fitness in time to take part in the season's next Grand Slam, Wimbledon, as well as his country's Davis Cup quarter-final in July.
"My sights are now firmly set on the forthcoming grass court season starting with Queen's and then Wimbledon, building up to our tough Davis Cup tie against Argentina in Sydney," he added. |