Former finalist Tomas Berdych pulls out of Wimbledon due to injury

In a statement which he published on social media, the 32-year-old said he had been experiencing back pain for some time, and had exhausted treatments to enable his participation in the tournament.

He said: "I have been struggling with back pain for a couple of months now and have tried every possible treatment and medical solution in order to be able to keep on competing.

"Unfortunately things have not gotten better and all my attempts to be ready and healthy for the grass season were not successful."

Berdych, who crashed out of the French Open last month in the first round, said he was "disappointed."

He said: "I was very much looking forward to the Wimbledon Championships where I have amazing memories, however out of respect to my fellow competitorsand to the Wimbledon CHampionship I will not be able to compete."

The Czech added that he hoped the "tough decision" would enable him to come back stronger.

Berdych, who is ranked 19th in the world, most recently competed at the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart, where he left the tournament in the quarter-finals after a straight set defeat by Milos Raonic.