Pierce Suddenly Withdraws From Wimbledon : Tennis: French Open finalist cites “reasons beyond her control” for abrupt departure.

French Open finalist Mary Pierce, on the eve of her Wimbledon debut, pulled out of the tournament Saturday for what she described as reasons beyond her control.

Pierce and her mother, Yannick, met with officials of the All England Club and told them she was withdrawing. Pierce was seeded seventh.

In a written statement, she said: “For reasons far beyond my control, I have decided not to participate in the most prestigious and traditional tournament in the world.

“Please accept the facts--both my mother and I have reviewed all these circumstances.

“Without a doubt they clearly indicate that my absence and withdrawal would serve the best interest to the Wimbledon Championships, the dedicated and non-partial fans, and lastly to my mother, brother and myself.

“I truly hope and pray for the continued success of the Wimbledon Championships and I am sorry that I can’t be a part of it this year but I’m looking forward in the future to be part of the playing tradition.”

Pierce, 19, did not elaborate, but she had been the focus of much attention from the British media, particularly the tabloid newspapers that concentrated on her private life and relationship with her father.

Former world No. 1 Tracy Austin also withdrew from Wimbledon on Saturday because of an injury to her right shoulder.

Pierce’s father, Jim, is banned from attending any tennis tournament because of his excessive abuse of Mary and her opponents. Mary has not seen him since having him ejected from last year’s French Open.

One tabloid, The Sun, had an interview with him Tuesday in which he said he was going to defy the ban and come to Wimbledon.

The Daily Mail then quoted him saying he was going to come to Wimbledon and “create a big spectacle.”

“I am good at climbing fences,” he was quoted as saying, adding that he might try to fool guards by “wearing a wig.”

Chief executive of the All England Club Christopher Gorringe said: “Although we understand and are sympathetic to Mary’s reasons, everyone will be extremely disappointed not to have the opportunity of seeing Mary at the Championships this year.”

Ninth-seeded Lindsay Davenport of Murrieta Valley moved up to the seventh-seeded position. Helena Sukova, the No. 17-ranked player, moved to the vacant No. 9-seeded position and lucky loser Andrea Strnadova of the Czech Republic moved into Sukova’s original spot in the draw.