Hewitt pulls out of Monte Carlo Masters

SYDNEY, Apr 13 (Reuters) Australian Lleyton Hewitt has pulled out of next week's Monte Carlo Masters to stay fresh for next month's French Open.

The former world number one, who led Australia into the Davis Cup semi-finals with victory over Belarus last weekend, has decided rest is more important than playing in another tournament.

''There's nothing sinister in it,'' his manager Rob Aivatoglou told Australian Associated Press.

''There are tournaments on every week, if he plays every one available he'd burn out. What he is trying to do is to give himself the best opportunity of peaking for the important events.

''There is the French Open coming up in May and Wimbledon in June and July and hopefully he will play his best tennis when he's at those events.''.

REUTERS PM RAI1214