Tsonga out of Davis Cup tie against Austria

Paris, Feb 21 (AFP) France''s Davis Cup hopes againstAustria were dealt another blow on Monday with the news thatJo-Wilfried Tsonga would be unavailable due to a hip injury.

Already, Guy Forget''s team have been decimated by thewithdrawl of top-ranking French players Gael Monfils who willbe out for up to six weeks with an injury to his left wrist.

Tsonga, the world number 17, said on his website that hehad been struggling with the hip injury since the start of theyear and that he would be unable to play in the Davis Cupwhere rubbers are over the best of five sets.

On top of that, Tsonga said that the fact that the WorldGroup first round tie would be held on claycourts meant thathe risked aggravating the injury.

"I will have to see how the injury responds to treatmentand based on that maybe I will need to have an operation. Butthat would put me out of action for two to three months," hesaid.

The tie will be hosted by Austria in Vienna from March4-6. France reached last year''s final losing 3-2 to Serbia inBelgrade after being 2-0 ahead. (AFP) AT