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Pierce withdraws from French Open
Updated: Thursday May 24, 2001 8:33 AM
STRASBOURG, France (AP) -- Reigning champion Mary Pierce on Wednesday withdrew from the French Open due to a back injury, WTA officials said. The $10 million French Open, the only Grand Slam event played on clay, starts Monday. Pierce, 26, was suffering from "a chronic inflammation of the lumbar spine," a statement from the WTA said. "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," Pierce was quoted as saying in the WTA statement. "I am deeply disappointed and sad to be unable to defend my title," said Pierce, who is ranked 17th in the world by the WTA. The announcement came a day after Pierce lost in the first round of the $170,000 Strasbourg Open in northeastern France. Pierce last year became the first Frenchwoman to take the Roland Garros title since 1967. "I have great memories from last year and I was looking forward to reliving them," Pierce said. "My feelings go out to my fans whom I'm sure will understand my difficult decision." 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 crashed out of the opening round of the Italian Open in Rome last week. "The whole year, I have been returning to the game too soon and have not given my body enough time to heal and recover," Pierce said. "I don't want to take the risk of aggravating my existing injury or sustaining another one." Pierce has not won a title this year. She is replaced in the French Open draw by Amanda Hopmans of the Netherlands.
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