The French open which is just 10 days away has a dearth of champions owing to injury. Many top ranked players will not compete for the Grand Slam title.
The French opens seems to be jinxed with players pulling out based on health grounds. Since last July, Serena Williams has been off the tour after she cut her foot on broken glass. She had to undergo two operations on her feet. Blood clots in her lungs have kept her out of the game.
Among the long list of Grand Slam titles, Serena won the 2002 French Open. Serena is now being replaced by Junri Namigata of Japan.
Venus Williams has been away from the court as she too has undergone a hip injury. Venus faced her sister Serena in the only final at Roland Garros, but lost the match. Between them, the two sisters have won 20 Grand Slam singles titles.
Dinara Safina, two-time French Open finalist has been cited with back problems, while Timea Bacsinszky from Swizerland has a left ankle injury. Both the players are now replaced by Anne Keothavong of Britian and Anna Tatishvili.
David Nalbandian is down with fever. David is replaced by German player Daniel Brands, in the mens tournament.
The shortage of players has seen many wild card entries.
Arnaud Clement, Vincent Millot 2001 Australian Open runner-up, Benoit Paire and Tim Smyczek US and Australian Bernard Tomic.
French players Iryna Bremond, Stephanie Foretz-Gacon, Kristina Mladenovic have all earned a spot as wild card entries.
