Tennis great Andre Agassi has decided on Tuesday to skip the year's third Grand Slam tournament, the Wimbledon Open, joining the two top-ranked women on the sideline.

"I have been struggling with a hip injury for the past couple of months," said the 34-year-old Agassi. "Clearly, this is a regrettable decision that I have to make. I will miss the opportunity to play in the most prestigious tournament in the world."

The eight Grand Slam titles holder, crowned at Wimbledon in 1992, dropped his last four matches, his longest losing streak in seven years.

Agassi, who hasn't won a tournament since April 2003, is one of five men with a career Grand Slam and was ranked No. 1 as recently as last season, the oldest man to hold the top spot. He's also the last man to win consecutive Slams, at the 1999 U.S.Open and 2000 Australian Open.

World No. 1 Justine Henin-Hardenne, who is recovering from a viral illness, and No. 2 Kim Clijsters, from wrist surgery, will be missing from the women's field of Wimbledon which starts Monday.

Other withdrawals include French Open champion Gaston Gaudio, three-time major winner Gustavo Kuerten, and Younes El Aynaoui.

Source: Xinhua