French world No.8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga withdrew on Thursday from the US Open – the final grand slam of the year – due to a knee problem which has not healed since suffering the injury at Wimbledon.

“Today I have to take care of me and make sure I can play 100 per cent. The thinking is simple. The doctors told me that it would be at least two months for my tendon to partially heal and five months to be completely healed.

“Two months takes me to the US Open. It would be stupid to go there knowing full well that I have no chance because I’m not prepared enough.”

The former Australian Open finalist hopes to return at the Metz ATP event in mid-September in France.

“I know exactly what I have. I know exactly how long it will take,” he said of his injury.

“Whenever I hurt myself, I often come back again even stronger. I still have one month. It will come soon, but I am optimistic.”

The 28-year-old reached the US Open quarter-finals in 2011, his best showing in New York.

His announcement came a few hours after compatriot Marion Bartoli tearfully announced her retirement due to injuries and pain, with the news of the Wimbledon champion’s departure rocking the tennis world.

The Open begins on August 26.