Chung Hyeon withdraws from French Open with ankle injury

In this Reuters file photo from May 5, 2018, South Korea’s Chung Hyeon hits a shot against Alexander Zverev of Germany during their semifinals match at the BMW Open on the ATP Tour in Munich, Germany. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, May 23 (Yonhap) — South Korean tennis player Chung Hyeon said Wednesday he will miss the French Open with an ankle injury.

Chung, world No. 20, first announced his withdrawal from the Lyon Open in the French city o the same name earlier in the day, prior to his round-of-16 match against the 75th-ranked Gilles Simon.

Then hours later, Chung also said he has pulled out of the French Open, the second Grand Slam tournament of the year, starting on May 27.

“I have been struggling with an ankle injury during the entire clay court season,” Chung tweeted. “An MRI scan has revealed that I have a buildup of fluid in the ankle joint, which might require a small procedure and then an extended period of rest. Thanks to everyone for all the support. Hope to see you soon and be back to full strength!”

Chung was supposed to have kicked off his clay court season at the Barcelona Open in April, but he missed that event with the ankle issue.

Then in early May, Chung reached the semifinals at the BMW Open but has missed two of his next three tournaments since.

At the Mutua Madrid Open, the one event in that span in which Chung played, the South Korean lost in the first round to Robin Haase.

At the French Open, Chung could have become the first South Korean to be seeded at a major tournament.

Chung made a surprising run to the semifinals at the first Grand Slam event of the year, the Australian Open in January.