Former champion Andre Agassi has pulled out of Wimbledon to rest a lingering hip injury.
The 1992 winner said in a statement he hoped to return in 2005.
"In my preparation for Wimbledon I realised the injury was only worsened by the nature of the surface and would prevent me from competing," he said.
"Clearly, this is a regrettable decision - I will miss the opportunity to play in the most prestigious tournament in the world."
Agassi has struggled for form in recent months and has failed to reach a final this year.
He followed a first-round loss at the French Open last month with defeat in his first match at Queen's - his only grasscourt warm-up event.
He returned home to California after losing to Igor Andreev, which marked the first time since August 1997 that he had suffered three straight defeats.
There is growing speculation that the eight-times Grand Slam champion will retire at the end of 2004, but his statement suggested otherwise.
"My hope and plans are to see you next year," said the 34-year-old.
His last Grand Slam win came at the Australian Open in 2003, and he has not won an ATP title for 16 months.
Agassi is one of several high-profile names missing Wimbledon. Others include French Open champion Gaston Gaudio and Brazilian Gustavo Kuerten.
~RS~a~RS~Domestic~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~35~RS~){kind=small}
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
