Monfils withdraws from French Open due to viral infection

Gael Monfils won't play in the French Open. (Peter Dejong/AP)

PARIS — French Open organizers say Gael Monfils has withdrawn from the clay-court Grand Slam tournament because of a viral infection.

The 14th-ranked Monfils reached the Monte Carlo Masters final this season but a drop in form over recent weeks resulted in early exits in Madrid and Rome. He was also hampered by a hamstring injury last month.

The French tennis federation said Monfils was advised by his doctors to skip the Roland Garros.

Monfils’ best result at the French Open was a run to the semifinals in 2008. Last year, he lost in the fourth round to Roger Federer, who is also missing from the French Open this year.

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.