Navratilova to Bypass French Open

Martina Navratilova will bypass the French Open and other European clay-court tournaments this year, the Women’s International Tennis Assn. announced Tuesday.

Navratilova, a two-time French Open champion ranked No. 2 in the world, has also withdrawn from the Italian and German Opens.

“Martina has decided to re-evaluate her schedule,” said Peachy Kellmeyer, WITA director of operations. “It’s entirely her decision to do it.”

The Italian Open starts May 8 in Rome, and is followed a week later by the German Open in Berlin. The French Open runs from May 29-June 11 in Paris.