GASQUET PULLS OUT OF ROTTERDAM

Rotterdam, The Netherlands: Richard Gasquet handed the Rotterdam World Tennis tournament another box office body

blow as the top seed quit on Tuesday a day before his opening match with a groin strain. The pullout came a week after

Roger Federer was unable to play after undergoing knee surgery which will keep him off the

ATP for at least a month. Frenchman Gasquet said that he felt his pain the day before winning the Montpellier tournament for the third time at the

weekend. The 29- year- old ranked 13th came to Rotterdam in hopes he

could heal but said that he is also now feeling ill and had no choice but to quit the indoor

event. Marin Cilic, the second seed, now takes the role of favourite at the tournament where he finished runner- up in 2014. Gasquet said that he hopes to be able to play in the Marseille

event later this month. “Of course I’m disappointed, I wanted to play here,” Gasquet said. “It’s impossible for me to

play. “If I don’t feel 100 per cent, it is

better to quit. This is a big event for me, I’m sad not to be able to play here. It’s tough for me but I had no choice. “I need to rest,” said the player whose season only began last

week after missing the Australian summer campaign with back pain,” the Frenchman

added.