Sunday, 18 May, 2008

Richard Gasquet may skip this month's French Open after claiming he is "not fit to play tennis".

The 21-year-old, who is ninth in the world rankings, has not progressed past the last 16 in any event this year and is 35th in the current ATP singles race.

Gasquet, the highest-placed Frenchman in the world rankings, is now contemplating missing his own country's grand-slam event, saying: "I am completely burnt out. I haven't fully recovered from the efforts I made last year. And I am paying for it at the moment."

He added: "I am not fit to play tennis - running, moving, everything is becoming difficult. I am going to cut myself off for the week. Forgetting about my racquet can't do me any harm.

"For Roland Garros, we will see. Don't expect a big tournament from me - if I take part in it."

The French Open begins a week on Sunday and Gasquet fears it could be embarrassing for him if he does take part in the tournament, given his current form.

"I am going to put down my racquet for a week. Then I'll come back to training and we will see then," he added. "It is nearly two years since I have had a break. I miss that.

"Imagine what I would do at Roland Garros, it would not be nice for anyone."

Gasquet, who is 22 next month, won a career-high 49 matches in 2007, claiming a fifth career ATP title and reaching two other finals that year.

He also reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon, the first time he had gone that far in a grand-slam event.

Nadal earns first Hamburg title
Jankovic reaches final in Rome
Murray takes comfort from defeat
Davis Cup tie at Wimbledon
Sharapova to replace Henin at the top
Bartoli joins Eastbourne field
Henin announces retirement
Gasquet doubt for Roland Garros