5/12/08 1:19 PM | Johan Lindahl
Andy Roddick has flown home to the US for emergency treatment on the back problem which forced him to quit a semi-final at the Rome Masters and pull out of this week's Hamburg event.
“After his back spasms, Andy decided not to take part in the Hamburg tournament,” read a statement on Roddick's website. “Andy and his team will fly back to the United States as quickly as possible to look after his back.”
The former No. l, playing only the second Rome semi of his career, pulled up just three games into his match with Swiss Stan Wawrinka, unable to continue.
Roddick's personal physio Doug Spreen and other medicos are optimistic that the former No. 1 can return in time for the World Team Championships which begins on clay in Germany on Sunday.
In contrast to previous years, Roddick had planned a full clay season heading into the French Open, playing Rome, Hamburg and Dusseldorf prior to Roland Garros.
He was one of five injury pullouts last week in Rome and 23 since the start of the clay season three weeks ago.
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