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Men's Tennis
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Women's Tennis
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| Wednesday, May 23 |
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| Pierce withdraws with back injury Associated Press | |||
PARIS – A 6-by-9-foot poster of Mary Pierce is the only way
fans will get to see the reigning French Open champion at Roland
Garros this year.
Citing a back injury, Pierce withdrew from the Grand Slam
tournament Wednesday, less than a week before it starts. She lost
in the first round of the Strasbourg Open on Tuesday.
"It's very sad for Mary, and it's a pity for the French public,
because she is French," French Open director Gilles Jourdan said.
Last year, Pierce became the first Frenchwoman to win at Roland
Garros since 1967.
The 26-year-old Pierce has "a chronic inflammation of the
lumbar spine," according to a WTA statement.
"After much thought, deliberation and lengthy consultation with
the medical staff, I have come to the very difficult decision to
withdraw from the French Open," said Pierce, the world's
17th-ranked player. "I am deeply disappointed and sad to be unable
to defend my title."
The French Open starts Monday.
Pierce has been plagued by injuries this season. She withdrew
from the Bausch & Lomb tournament in Amelia Island, Fla., last
month after tweaking her back throwing a medicine ball.
She has won only six of 14 matches this season.
Earlier this month, eighth-ranked Anna Kournikova withdrew from
the French Open because of a foot injury that has prevented her
from playing in a tournament since February. Chanda Rubin, who
twice reached the French Open quarterfinals, pulled out of the
event on Tuesday because of a knee injury.
Born in Canada, living in the United States, and a French
citizen by virtue of her mother's origins, Pierce struggled to win
the support of French fans until last year's triumph in Paris.
"My feelings go out to my fans," Pierce said. "I have great
memories from last year, and I was looking forward to reliving them.
I am deeply disappointed and sad to be unable to defend my title."
French fans disappointed by Pierce's absence can take heart.
Countrywoman Amelie Mauresmo, who will be seeded fifth, has been
one of the top players on the circuit in 2001 and is among the
favorites for the title.
"Maybe (Pierce's withdrawal) will focus attention on Amelie,"
Jourdan said. "I think it will be more interesting, perhaps more
difficult for her, but I think she is capable of a lot of things."
Among the other players who figure to challenge for the title
are three stars who have never won the lone Grand Slam tourney
played on clay: Martina Hingis, Venus Williams and Lindsay
Davenport, the top women's seeds.
Hingis, ranked No. 1 in the world, heads the women's draw as she
seeks to win the only Grand Slam singles title that's eluded her.
Williams lost to Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in the French Open
quarterfinals a year ago, then didn't lose again until after she
had captured Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories | |
ALSO SEE Hingis to seek elusive slam as French top seed Defending champ Kuerten top seed for French Open Unheralded Tulyaganova upsets ailing Pierce | |
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