Former champion and ex-world number one Serena Williams has pulled out of the French Open, which starts on Monday.
The American, French Open champion in 2002, had been suffering from an ankle injury which caused her to miss the German Open in Berlin two weeks ago.
She then returned to action last week in Rome where she was beaten in the second round by Italy's Francesca Schiavone.
Fellow American Jennifer Capriati, the 2001 champion, also confirmed her withdrawal. That was less of a surprise as the 28-year-old hadn't played all year due to shoulder surgery.
