Bad blow for American tennis star Andy Roddick who withdrew from the Madrid 1000 Masters earlier today citing a stomach illness.

“I guess I’ve got a stomach virus,” Roddick told the Press Association. “I got here and on Sunday night through Monday evening I was up for 24 hours vomiting, sweating, the whole deal. I played doubles yesterday but I felt I was late to the party on everything.

“I woke up this morning thinking I would be able to play, but after practice I felt I couldn’t see the ball very well and I think if I can’t focus on the tennis ball very well I can’t compete.”

Roddick was scheduled to play Feliciano Lopez today. He will be replaced by Oscar Hernandez.

Roddick last played nearly six weeks ago winning the Miami tournament. He will go into the French Open with no clay matches. But he did say he only had two clay matches last year and enjoyed one of his better French Opens.

“A lot of things depend on how long this thing lasts. This is obviously far from perfect heading into Paris, but you have to play the hand you’re dealt. Playing well in Paris isn’t totally out of the question.”