Agassi sidelined by back injury

Agassi aggravated a nerve in his back at the French Open in May

Andre Agassi has been forced to pull out of next month's Stockholm Open because of a back injury.

The 35-year-old, beaten in four sets by Roger Federer in the US Open final, has withdrawn from the event, which runs from 10-16 October.

Agassi, beaten in last year's Stockholm final by Thomas Johansson, said: "I was looking forward to going further.

"My family enjoyed the stay last year and Stockholm is a very nice city to be in, it is a great shame."

The American aggravated a nerve at the French Open in May, and was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon.

He was able to play at Flushing Meadows with the help of cortisone injections.

"It is always disappointing when players miss tournaments due to injuries, but unfortunately this is something professional sports have to face today," Stockholm tournament director Per Hjertquist said.

"I hope Agassi will recover quickly."