When the French Open from Roland Garros starts next Sunday, it will not include a pair of Olympic medallists.
Dinara Safina of Russia, who won the Olympic Silver Medal in singles play at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China has withdrawn because of a back injury.
While, Serena Williams of the United States, the 2002 French Open singles champion and two-time Olympic Gold medallist in women's doubles (2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney and 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing) with her sister Venus Williams, has withdrawn from the second Grand Slam of the year due to a foot injury and a blood clot in her lungs.
Serena Williams is currently ranked 17th in the world and Safina is ranked 68th.
Williams will be replaced in the draw by Junri Namigata of Japan and Safina will be replaced by Anne Keothavong of Great Britain.
On the men's side, David Nalbandian of Argentina, the 2002 Winbledon finalist, had to withdraw because of a virus and will be replaced in the French Open by German Daniel Brands.
Canadian Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ontario, will be seeded for his first career Grand Slam event at the 2011 French Open. He is currently 26th in the world.
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