Struggling Agassi skips Wimbledon

LONDON — Whether it’s his ailing hip or his ailing game, Andre Agassi decided he wasn’t ready for Wimbledon. Who knows whether he’ll bid farewell to the All England Club?

Agassi pulled out of the year’s third Grand Slam tournament Tuesday, joining the two top-ranked women on the sideline.

“I have been struggling with a hip injury for the past couple of months,” the 34-year-old Agassi said.

“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.”

Agassi, whose eight Grand Slam titles include Wimbledon in 1992, dropped his last four matches — his longest losing streak in seven years. And he wasn’t exactly playing the best of the best: Agustin Calleri, currently 40th, is ranked the highest of Agassi’s opponents during the drought.

Agassi also lost to a qualifier ranked 339th, a qualifier ranked 271st playing his first tour-level match, and a player ranked 60th. All but one of the four ended in straight sets.

When Wimbledon starts Monday, No. 1 Justine Henin-Hardenne (recovering from a viral illness) and No. 2 Kim Clijsters (wrist surgery) will be missing from the women’s field.

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

Agassi’s most recent setback came against Igor Andreev at the Queen’s Club grass-court Wimbledon tuneup last week. Agassi skipped a postmatch news conference and was fined $1,000.

Fair or not, the ninth-ranked Agassi, who hasn’t won a tournament since April 2003, now will face questions about how much longer he plans to play.