Tennis News: Fernando Gonzalez and Venus Williams sidelined from next week’s Grand Slam, Roland Garros
Bad news for Chilean fans as former world number five, Fernando Gonzalez announced his withdrawal from Roland Garros on Monday. Gonzalez’s agonising knee injury forced him to withdraw from the Grand Slam tournament for which he
had been anxiously waiting.
Tweeting on his Twitter page, Gonzalez stated, “Unfortunately today I withdrew myself from Roland Garros, it’s a shame, but I’m doing everything possible to comeback and feel better.”
The Chilean is currently ranked at number 370 in South African Airways 2011 ATP World Rankings and made a comeback in the pro tennis world last month. His right hip surgery sidelined him from the professional tennis for eight consecutive
months, pushing him down to number 370th spot in world rankings.
The first tournament Gonzalez played after his comeback was the Serbia Open last month, when he lost to Feliciano Lopez of Spain in the second round. The Chilean had to retire at the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Challenger
Tour events at Prague and Bordeaux for his knee injuries.
2009 French Open semi-finalist, Gonzalez, will be missing the Roland Garros for the second time since his debut in 2001. He is expected to remain sidelined from professional tennis for at least three weeks. Gonzalez’s withdrawal
from the French Open opened door for the Argentine, Brain Dabul to the main draws of the tournament.
Joining Gonzalez in the stands is the top ranked American, Venus Williams. Venus, along with her sister Serena, has pulled out of Roland Garros for her persistent hip injury.
The former world number one has withdrawn from her second Grand Slam event of the year and is expected to be back in action soon.
Currently ranked at number 29, Venus pulled out of her fourth round match at the 2011 Australian Open in January with hip injury. The American also missed large chunks of the last season with her knee problems. Venus finally returned
to training last month but she reckons not to be fit for the mega event in France and announced to withdraw from the tournament.
Serena’s struggle to fitness also continued as she toils hard to recover from a foot injury, which has been operated twice and a blood clot in her lung. It is the first time in eight years that none of the Williams Sisters is playing
at the French Open.
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