Andre Agassi has withdrawn from this year's Wimbledon due to a hip injury. The 1992 champion, who turned 34 in April, lost in the first round at Queen's Club last week to Igor Andreev, a Russian who had been making his debut on grass.
Agassi returned home to the United States, and today announced: "I regret to inform you that I will not be playing the 2004 Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships.
"I have been struggling with a hip injury for the past couple of months and in my preparation for Wimbledon realised the injury was only worsened by the nature of the surface and would prevent me from competing.
"Clearly this is a regrettable decision that I have to make. I will miss the opportunity to play in the most prestigious tournament in the world. My hope and plans are to see you next year."
The championships, which start next Monday, have already lost to injury the world's top two women players, Belgian duo Justine Henin-Hardenne and Kim Clijsters.
Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil and French Open champion Gaston Gaudio of Argentina pulled out last week because of injuries, although neither had been expected to make a big impact on grass.
Filed by Johnny Proby
