MELBOURNE: World No 9 Richard Gasquet has pulled out of the Australian Open with a back injury, organisers said on Wednesday.

“Sorry to report that @richardgasquet1 has withdrawn from the #AusOpen with a back injury.

We wish him a speedy recovery,” organisers said on their Twitter account.

The Frenchman, a Wimbledon semi-finalist and quarter-finalist at the US Open, has long suffered back problems and aggravated the injury while playing in exhibition tournaments this month.