Hewitt pulls out of French Open

Australia's [ Images ] world number two Lleyton Hewitt [ Images ] has pulled out of the French Open [ Images ] after fracturing a rib in a fall this month, organisers said on Thursday.

Hewitt sustained the injury at his Sydney [ Images ] home two weeks ago, forcing him to delay a planned comeback at this week's World Team Cup in Germany [ Images ].

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 [ Images ] 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 [ Images ] in the final at Indian Wells in March but definitely plans to compete at Wimbledon.

Australia's top-ranked female tennis player, Alicia Molik [ Images ], 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 [ Images ] taking over from Hewitt as the second seed.

The seed numbers at the French Open follow the ATP and WTA rankings.