Current women's champion Mary Pierce announced today that injury had forced her to pull out of the French Open starting in Paris next Monday.
The French star has been in poor form all year with a succession of injuries, especially a recurrent back pain caused by a chronic inflammation of the spine.
"I am deeply disappointed and sad to be unable to defend my title," Pierce said.
"I have great memories from last year and I was looking forward to reliving them.
"The whole year I have been returning to the game too soon and have not given my body enough time to heal and recover. I don't want to take the risk of aggravating my injury or sustaining another one."
AFP
