PIERCE expects to miss Wimbledon

PARIS (AP) _ Mary Pierce, who was unable to defend her French Open title this year due to a persistent back injury, says she expects to miss Wimbledon as well. <br><br>``I am getting treatment for my back

Sunday, June 3rd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

PARIS (AP) _ Mary Pierce, who was unable to defend her French Open title this year due to a persistent back injury, says she expects to miss Wimbledon as well.

``I am getting treatment for my back which is still painful,'' Pierce was quoted as saying in the Sunday edition of French sports daily L'Equipe.

The 26-year-old Frenchwoman said she needs to rest for ``six weeks.''

Wimbledon starts June 25.

Pierce became a national heroine last year when she won at Roland Garros, the first Frenchwoman to do so in 33 years.

Her best result at Wimbledon came in 1996 when she reached the quarterfinals.