Leyton Hewitt has confirmed he will not be taking part in this year's French Open which begins at Roland Garros on May 23.
The former world number one has failed to recover from a rib injury he sustained last week and revealed he was withdrawing so as not to further aggravate the problem at the second Grand Slam of the year.
"I have decided to take my doctor's advice and not play next week as returning too early runs the risk of prolonging my recovery period. It's obviously disappointing but I am taking a longer-term approach," said Hewitt.
The player, who has never won French Open title, insists he is determined to return to fitness in time to take part in the season's next Grand Slam, Wimbledon, as well as his country's Davis Cup quarter-final in July.
"My sights are now firmly set on the forthcoming grass court season starting with Queen's and then Wimbledon, building up to our tough Davis Cup tie against Argentina in Sydney," he added.
