Agassi out of Wimbledon

Wimbledon blow: Andre Agassi

14 April 2012

Andre Agassi pulled out of Wimbledon today to rest a lingering hip injury. The 34-year-old told the All England Club of his decision in a statement this morning.

But the charismatic American dampened speculation that he will never play at the Championships again by saying he hopes to return to Wimbledon next year.

"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," he explained.

"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."

Agassi has struggled for form recently. He has not won an ATP title for 16 months and has failed to win a singles match for three consecutive tournaments - his worst run since August 1997.

There is growing speculation the eight-times Grand Slam champion will retire at the end of 2004, but the American is keen to grace the courts of SW19 again.

"My hope and plans are to see you next year," he added in his statement today.

For now, Agassi intends to rest and recuperate ahead of the American hardcourt season, which culminates in the US Open in late August.

His absence from Wimbledon, which begins on Monday, is a huge blow to tournament organisers because he is undoubtedly one of the game's biggest box-office attractions.

It will be only the second time he has not appeared at the All England Club since 1991. In 1997 he was absent after his ranking dropped to 141 in the world. "I personally am very disappointed," said Wimbledon referee Alan Mills. "I always look forward to seeing Andre at every tournament I work at."

During 13 appearances at Wimbledon, Agassi won the title in 1992, lost to great rival Pete Sampras in the final in 1999 and made the semi-finals three other times.

Agassi will not remember his final appearance in Britain - if that is what it turns out to be - with any fondness.

After requesting a wildcard entry into the Stella Artois Championships following his first-round defeat at the French Open, he was beaten in his first match on grass this summer by Russian Igor Andreev.

Agassi then refused to attend the postmatch news conference and was fined $1,000 by the ATP tour.

When he and Andy Roddick lost their doubles match the following afternoon, Agassi headed straight to the airport and back to the family home in Las Vegas.

He has spent the past four days at his holiday home in La Jolla, near San Diego, with wife Steffi Graf and his two-year-old son Jaden Gil and eight-month-old daughter Jaz Elle.

Agassi is the latest big-name player to withdraw from tennis's premier tournament. Top-ranked female Justine Henin-Hardenne and No. 2 Kim Clijsters have already pulled out.

Henin-Hardenne has a lingering viral illness, while Clijsters has a wrist injury.

Men's French Open champion Gaston Gaudio won't play because of a foot injury and Russian Marat Safin is also doubtful.

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Agassi out of Wimbledon

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