Argentina’s world No.7 Juan Martin del Potro on Wednesday pulled out of the French Open with an ongoing viral infection.
Del Potro is the second top-10 ranked ATP player to withdraw from the second grand slam of 2013 following world No.2 Andy Murray’s decision on Tuesday to pull out due to a back injury.
“This is a tough blow, because these are the events you dream of winning,” said del Potro, who reached the last four at Roland Garros in 2009 and quarter-finals last year.
“Now I must get over this disappointment and recover completely in order to prepare at 100 per cent for the tests to come,” he added.
The Argentine was already forced to sidestep recent tournaments in Madrid and Portugal with the problem. He resumed at the Rome Masters last week before succumbing to France’s Benoit Paire in the third round.
The French Open starts on Sunday.