Greg Rusedski has been forced to pull out of this week's Qatar Mobil Open, next week's Sydney International Championships and the Australian Open in Melbourne.

The British number two Rusedski had surgery on his right foot in October but has not recovered in time to start his 2003 schedule.

He is to return home from Doha without having hit a ball in anger for three months.

"The foot has not reacted as well as I would have wanted," said Rusedski.

We have too much tennis and too many surfaces and I am not 21 anymore Greg Rusedski

"I practised in London for two weeks and got here (Doha) early, but as soon as I put more stress on it, it was not good."

Rusedski, who had already said he would miss the Davis Cup against Australia in February, now claims he may return to action at either Milan or Marseille next month.

However, his doctor has told him it may take five months to recover and Rusedski seems unlikely to return before the four weeks of American hard court tennis in March.

Criticised

"We have too much tennis and too many changes of balls and surfaces and I am not 21 anymore," he said.

"With the travelling and so much tennis, that's what causes injuries and you have to be clever with the scheduling.

"I felt the injury when I was coming down on the heel after serving and if you take the serve out of my game it takes an awful lot away."

Rusedski also had an answer to those who criticised him for pulling out of the Davis Cup first-round tie with Australia while trying to play on the ATP Tour.

I think I know my body better than Hewitt does Greg Rusedski

"Last time when I pulled out of the Davis Cup I told the team management two weeks in advance but I felt that was quite short notice," he said.

"I wasn't sure whether I could play more than three sets by the time the Davis Cup came along and I wanted to alert the captain well in advance."

Rusedski also had a dig at Hewitt, the world number one, who described Rusedski's decision as "weird".

Main goal

"I think I know my body better than he does," Rusedski said.

"He doesn't know the whole story or the situation. If you don't have all the information it's pretty hard to assess it."

Rusedski denied that his main goal was already to prepare himself for Wimbledon in June.

"My first goal is to get 100% fit and then I want to win as many tournaments as I can," he said.

"Of course I think the Davis Cup is important but in future I will have to look at what's best for myself.

"I still think I have a lot of good tennis in me. Once I get over this little bump I hope to have a few more years left."