Amelie Mauresmo, who won the women's singles silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, announced on Thursday her withdrawal from the French team for the Beijing Olympics. The former Wimbledon and Australian Open champion was selected only in the doubles as her world ranking has slumped in 2008 due to loss of form and injuries. But she still had a chance to make the singles as a replacement in the French team for the veteran Mary Pierce, who has not played for two years due to injury but who enjoys a protected world ranking. "Having not been selected in the singles and with a view to maintaining my fitness in the face of a punishing schedule, I have decided not to take part in the Olympic Games and instead focus on the US Open," Mauresmo said. The former world number 1 will travel to the United States on August 10 and will play in tournaments at Cincinnati and New Haven to get herself ready for New York and the US Open. Mauresmo lost in straight sets to Serena Williams in the third round at the ongoing Wimbledon.
