Wimbledon 2016 runner-up Milos Raonic pulls out of French Open to 'continue working hard' on his game

Paris: Milos Raonic, the 2016 Wimbledon runner-up, has withdrawn from the French Open a week before the clay-court Grand Slam tournament begins.

Raonic said on Twitter on Sunday that he needs “to continue working hard to put myself in the best position when I step out on the court.” He hasn’t played since a straight-set loss to fellow Canadian Denis Shapovalov at Madrid on 10 May.

Shapovalov will overtake Raonic in the rankings as Canada’s top tennis player for the first time on Monday.

Raonic is ranked No 22 this week. His career high is No 3.

It is with a heavy heart that I am withdrawing from @rolandgarros. I have many great memories there, but I know I need to continue working hard to put myself in the best position when I step out on the court. Thank you all for your support and see you soon on the grass.

— Milos Raonic (@milosraonic) May 20, 2018

The French Open begins 27 May.

Raonic intends to return during the grass-court portion of the season.

Wimbledon, where he lost in the 2016 final to Andy Murray, starts  2 July.