SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) _ Three-time French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten has withdrawn from the $380,000 US ATP Vina del Mar tournament in Chile after twisting his ankle during practice.
The 29-year-old Kuerten, who following hip surgery in September 2004 has fallen to 291st in the ATP rankings, said he injured his ankle during a training session in Brazil on Thursday.
Kuerten said the injury wasn't serious and that he should begin practising again next week. The Vina del Mar tournament starts Monday.
``It was a pity this happened right now,'' Kuerten said. ``I was ready to compete.''
On Thursday, Kuerten was included in Brazil's Davis Cup team for its Americas Zone Group 1 match against Peru March 10-12. Captain Fernando Meligeni also called Andre Sa, Ricardo Mello and Brazil's top-ranked player, Flavio Saretta.
Kuerten is the Brazil's eighth-highest ranked player.
The former top-ranked player in the world has played in only nine ATP tour events since his hip surgery over a year ago and none since losing in the second round of the U.S. Open to Tommy Robredo.
