Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Andre Agassi has informed Wimbledon officials that an injury will prevent him from competing in this year's tournament, which is scheduled to begin Monday.

It's unclear if this is the same injury that hobbled the 35-year-old Agassi at the French Open two weeks ago. After winning the first set against Finnish qualifier Jarkko Nieminen , Agassi felt a sharp pain that was caused by an inflamed nerve in his back. His movement hampered, he succumbed in five sets.

Afterward Agassi dismissed questions about retirement, saying he would address the matter after the season. He said he was hopeful he could compete at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open with the help of cortisone injections.

It's the second consecutive year Agassi has pulled out of Wimbledon because of an injury.

Agassi joins a list of Wimbledon withdrawals that includes Elena Bovina (shoulder) of Russia, Spain's Carlos Moya (shoulder) and Albert Costa (knee), Argentina's Gaston Gaudio (shoulder) and American Mardy Fish (wrist).

The Wimbledon draw is today.

-- Liz Clarke