Make that Pierce out, Parmentier in for France in Beijing
Pauline Parmentier will join the French Olympic team for the Beijing Games after injuries to two other players the International Tennis Federation reports.
The ITF earlier today said on its website that the former Wimbledon champion Mauresmo would replace the injured Pierce. Moments later, the ITF changed course. The ITF website now says that "Mary Pierce (FRA) was replaced by Amelie Mauresmo (FRA), who also withdrew and was replaced by Pauline Parmentier (FRA."
“The French Tennis Federation sent us a list on Friday, which included Mauresmo’s name,” ITF spokeswoman Barbara Travers told Bloomberg during a phone interview. “Just after we issued our statement today, we got an amendment from them, saying she isn’t going after all.”
Two-time Grand Slam winner Pierce has been struggling with a long-term knee problem, ITF spokesman Neil Robinson said earlier in a phone interview with Bloomberg. Pierce, 33, hasn’t played since the end of 2006.
Parmentier, ranked 40th in the world, will play singles and doubles at the Beijing Olympics, the ITF said.
Mauresmo, who won a silver at the 2004 Athens Games, withdrew from the French squad earlier this month after the French Tennis Federation failed to select her for the Beijing-bound team. In a message on her web site, Mauresmo said she would instead focus on the U.S. Open.
-- Greg Johnson
Photo: France's Pauline Parmentier in action June 25 at Wimbledon during her second round match against Australia's Casey Dellacqua. Credit: Alastair Grant/Associated Press Photo
