France's Davis Cup hopes have received a major blow with the news that Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has re-injured his knee.
Knee injury serves up blow to France title hopes
France's Davis Cup hopes have received a major blow with the news that Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has re-injured his knee.
The world number 13 has already missed three months of the year following surgery on his left knee and only returned to action last month.
But any hopes he had of facing Serbia on December 3-5 have been dashed when he ruled himself out for the rest of the season after aggravating the problem in Montpellier last week.
"I will need to have six weeks of complete rest," he said. "I could have taken anti-inflammatories but I don't know how I would have endured the pain. It would have been dishonest to my team mates.
"I am dejected because the Davis Cup is a kid's dream. It's the biggest setback in my career along with having to pull out of the Olympic Games.
"The injury is less serious than last summer but the doctors told me to end my season.
"But, like with everything that happens to me, I will put it in context. Life is what it is and we cannot control everything.
"I did everything possible to return in time. I worked hard and took risks to be ready for the Davis Cup. It was 50-50.
"It's not a death. It's sad, it's a disappointment, but it's not tragic. I'm only a tennis player, they can replace me with another.
"Of course, I'll do what the captain wants me to do. If he wants me to be there, if my presence can bring a little encouragement to the team, I will be there.
"Sadly, I can't play, but it's not the end of the world. Life goes on."
The French team will now be led by Gael Monfils in the singles with Michael Lodra, Richard Gasquet or Gilles Simon battling for the second spot.
