Gael Monfils of France returns the ball during the men's singles 4th round match against Rafael Nadal of Spain at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, the U.S., Sept. 8, 2009.(Xinhua File Photo/Shen Hong) Photo Gallery>>>

    CANBERRA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- French top seed Gael Monfils withdrew from the Sydney international tennis tournament on Monday due to a shoulder problem.

    The world number 12 said he had an inflamed right shoulder, hoping he would have some time off for next week's Australian Open in Melbourne.

    Monfils, 23, said he has had the shoulder inflammation for over a week and had experienced a similar injury two years ago.

    He said he intended to return to practice later this week to test the serving shoulder before the year's opening grand slam tournament, starting next Monday.