Lindsay Davenport has become the latest big name to pull out of the women's draw of the French Open.

The tournament begins on Monday but the world number three and third seed has been forced to withdraw because of an injury to her right knee.

She joins reigning champion Mary Pierce, Monica Seles and Anna Kournikova on the sidelines for this year's tournament at Roland Garros.

Davenport issued a statement saying, "I arrived in Paris on Wednesday and I have been practising very hard.

"Everything was going well until my practice this (Sunday) morning, when the pain returned unexpectedly.

"I really thought that my knee was ready and that I was going to be able to play.

"Unfortunately that is not the case and I decided to follow the advice of the medical staff not to play.

"I am going back to the States now to see my specialist and hope to be fully fit for Wimbledon."

Davenport first suffered the injury in a practice match prior to her Ericsson Open quarter-final against Elena Dementieva at the end of March.

She tried to play on then, but was forced to retire from the match and has not played since.