Australia's world number two Lleyton Hewitt has pulled out of the French Open after fracturing a rib in a fall this month, organisers said on Thursday.
Hewitt sustained the injury at his Sydney home two weeks ago, forcing him to delay a planned comeback at this week's World Team Cup in Germany.
The former world number one will be replaced by a lucky loser in the draw for the claycourt grand slam, which starts on Monday.
The former Wimbledon champion, whose fiancee Bec Cartwright is expecting a child later this year, has twice reached the quarter-finals in Paris, in 2001 and last year.
Hewitt, who was already struggling with a toe problem, has not played since losing to Roger Federer in the final at Indian Wells in March but definitely plans to compete at Wimbledon.
Australia's top-ranked female tennis player, Alicia Molik, has returned to training after also being forced to pull out of the French Open.
Molik was sidelined for five weeks with a middle-ear infection but has begun her preparations for Wimbledon, where she could be a genuine contender.
Another player, American Taylor Dent, also pulled out of the French Open on Thursday, because of an ankle injury. He will also be replaced by a lucky loser.
The French Open draw takes place on Friday. World number one Roger Federer will be the top men's seed with American Andy Roddick taking over from Hewitt as the second seed.
The seed numbers at the French Open follow the ATP and WTA rankings.
