Frenchman Richard Gasquet will miss next month's Australian Open in Melbourne because of a back injury, the tournament announced on Tuesday.

"Sorry to report that @richardgasquet1 has withdrawn for the #AusOpen with a back injury. We wish him a speedy recovery," read a post on the tournament's Twitter account, which was then retweeted by the player himself.

Gasquet, the world number nine, had already pulled out of next week's season-opening Qatar Open, where he won the 2013 title, after aggravating his long-standing back problem at the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) exhibition event.

The 2016 Australian Open runs from January 18-31.
Source: AFP