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Fish, Soderling pull out of French Open

May 22, 2012 10:20 IST

World No.10 Mardy Fish has pulled out of the French Open because of fatigue, organisers said.

The American has not played since March.

French Open organisers also confirmed that Former World No. 4 Robin Soderling is to take a further break from tennis after suffering a illness-hit 10 months.

Twice a losing finalist at the French Open, Soderling was struck down by glandular fever after winning the Swedish Open in Bastad in July 2011 and has not played since.

But despite damage done to his thyroid and adrenal glands by the fever, he has no plans to quit the sport for good just yet.

"Of course I've thought about it now and then but I'm 28 now and I have plenty of good years in front of me," the Swede said.

Soderling, who has slid to 56 in the World rankings, has shelved any plans of taking part in Wimbledon or the Olympics but could return later in the year.

"I haven't given up on the year. Hopefully I can come back a little, at an OK level," he said.

Soderling has won 10 career titles since his ATP tour debut in 2001 and was ranked number four in the world in 2010 and last year, but the glare of publicity has not always been welcome.

"Sometimes I wish I was involved in bowling or something, so I could be sick in peace," he said.

The claycourt Grand Slam starts at Roland Garros on Sunday.

Source: REUTERS
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