American men's tennis number one Andy Roddick withdrew from next week's French Open as he is still nursing a shoulder injury, his brother John announced on Monday.

Roddick, ranked six in the world, suffered the injury in the Rome Masters semi-final just over nine days ago and his brother admitted that it would not be sufficiently healed for him to play at a tournament where he has rarely flourished, reaching the third round in 2001.

"He (Roddick) is still struggling with his shoulder injury," said John Roddick, who is captaining the United States team at this week's World Team Cup.

"It's a real pity, because Andy was playing his best ever tennis on the clay. He is really disappointed.

"Last Friday, the pain came back, he went to see his specialist and after being looked at, he decided to withdraw."

Roddick lasted just three games in his semi-final in Rome against up and coming Swiss player Stanislas Wawrinka before having to retire, returning to the United States for treatment.

There was further disruption to the American team at the World Team Cup shortly afterwards as the indisputable world number one doubles pairing Bob and Mike Bryan also withdrew because they also had painful shoulders and did not want to risk aggravating the pain just a week away from the French Open.


AFP

Back to Home

Print