Former U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro said Tuesday that he could miss the French Open because of a left thigh injury.
The 22-year-old Del Potro, who won at Flushing Meadow in 2009, has a muscle tear and faces a challenge in being ready when the tournament starts on May 22.
''I started the rehabilitation today and I'll do everything possible to play in Paris,'' Del Potro said in a statement. ''I want to take things calmly and not rush back to the circuit.''
The injury appears to be a new problem for the 31st-ranked Argentine, who withdrew before a match against Rafael Nadal at the Madrid Open last week because of a hip injury.
Del Potro dropped to No. 481 in the rankings in January after to a long layoff following wrist surgery in 2010. Victories in Delray Beach and Estoril this season suggested he was regaining his form.
