Barcelona - Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils have withdrawn with injuries from next week's Barcelona Open with injuries as the clay season countdown draws closer to the start of the French Open.

Monfils was barely a factor in Monte Carlo this week, losing in the first round to Janko Tipsarevic while complaining of pain in both knees from tendinitis.

The 2008 Australian Open finalist Tsonga has not played since the Miami quarter-finals at the start of the month against Novak Djokovic.

Tsonga's handlers said that their man is training on the clay at home in Geneva but is not yet ready to risk his knees in tournament play.

Monfils played the semi-final last year in the Paris Grand Slam, losing to Roger Federer.

The French Open take place May 24-June 7. (dpa)