Post by tall_one on Jun 15, 2004 17:40:38 GMT
Agassi: Hip has been a problem for months
Associated Press
LONDON -- Andre Agassi pulled out of Wimbledon on Tuesday with a hip injury, leaving the tournament without one of the world's most popular players.
The winner of eight Grand Slam titles, including Wimbledon in 1992, Agassi has been in a slump with opening match losses in his last three tournaments.
"I have been struggling with a hip injury for the past couple of months, and in my preparation for Wimbledon realized the injury was only worsened by the nature of the surface and would prevent me from competing," Agassi said in a statement.
"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."
The last time Agassi lost three straight opening matches was in August, 1997.
His latest defeat came against unseeded Igor Andreev at Queen's Club last week. Agassi failed to attend the postmatch news conference, and was fined $1,000 by the ATP Tour.
Agassi also lost at the French Open to 277th-ranked French qualifier Jerome Haehnel and to Nenad Zimonjic at St. Poelten. Agassi is 14-7 in singles this year without an appearance in a final.
Wimbledon referee Alan Mills said losing Agassi is a blow.
"I personally am very disappointed," Mills said. "I always look forward to seeing Andre at every tournament I work at."
Agassi beat Goran Ivanisevic in the '92 Wimbledon final, and reached the final seven years later, losing to Pete Sampras.
"My hope and plans are to see you next year," Agassi said.
Agassi is the latest big-name player to withdraw.
On the women's side, top-ranked Justine Henin-Hardenne and No. 2 Kim Clijsters are out -- Henin-Hardenne with a viral illness; Clijsters a wrist injury. On the men's side, French Open champion Gaston Gaudi is sidelined with a foot injury.
Also, Martina Navratilova hasn't decided yet whether she'll play. The nine-time Wimbledon singles champ accepted a wild card, but after failing to qualify for the Eastbourne tournament Sunday, she questioned whether she would accept the spot.
Navratilova hasn't competed in singles at the All England Club since 1994, when she lost the final to Conchita Martinez.
Wimbledon begins Monday and ends July 4.
Associated Press
LONDON -- Andre Agassi pulled out of Wimbledon on Tuesday with a hip injury, leaving the tournament without one of the world's most popular players.
The winner of eight Grand Slam titles, including Wimbledon in 1992, Agassi has been in a slump with opening match losses in his last three tournaments.
"I have been struggling with a hip injury for the past couple of months, and in my preparation for Wimbledon realized the injury was only worsened by the nature of the surface and would prevent me from competing," Agassi said in a statement.
"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."
The last time Agassi lost three straight opening matches was in August, 1997.
His latest defeat came against unseeded Igor Andreev at Queen's Club last week. Agassi failed to attend the postmatch news conference, and was fined $1,000 by the ATP Tour.
Agassi also lost at the French Open to 277th-ranked French qualifier Jerome Haehnel and to Nenad Zimonjic at St. Poelten. Agassi is 14-7 in singles this year without an appearance in a final.
Wimbledon referee Alan Mills said losing Agassi is a blow.
"I personally am very disappointed," Mills said. "I always look forward to seeing Andre at every tournament I work at."
Agassi beat Goran Ivanisevic in the '92 Wimbledon final, and reached the final seven years later, losing to Pete Sampras.
"My hope and plans are to see you next year," Agassi said.
Agassi is the latest big-name player to withdraw.
On the women's side, top-ranked Justine Henin-Hardenne and No. 2 Kim Clijsters are out -- Henin-Hardenne with a viral illness; Clijsters a wrist injury. On the men's side, French Open champion Gaston Gaudi is sidelined with a foot injury.
Also, Martina Navratilova hasn't decided yet whether she'll play. The nine-time Wimbledon singles champ accepted a wild card, but after failing to qualify for the Eastbourne tournament Sunday, she questioned whether she would accept the spot.
Navratilova hasn't competed in singles at the All England Club since 1994, when she lost the final to Conchita Martinez.
Wimbledon begins Monday and ends July 4.
