LONDON (AFP) - Britain's world No 4 Tim Henman has pulled out of next week's Lyon Open in France to avoid aggravating shoulder and back injuries which could hurt his chances in the season-ending Masters Cup in Houston in November.
Henman has been suffering from back problems since the US Open and injured his shoulder in last week's Davis Cup defeat in Austria.
"At this stage of the season, and my career, I have to be very careful; I've got to try and give my body enough time to recover in order to stay as fit and as healthy as possible as thats the only way I'm able to compete at the highest level," he said on his website.
"Having worked so hard this year to get myself into a good position in the Champions Race I don't want to jeopardise my chances of qualifying for, and doing well in, the Tennis Masters Cup."