THOMAS MUSTER, the world number two who was controversially seeded seventh for Wimbledon next week, pulled out of the tournament yesterday with a thigh injury.

Muster, playing against Brett Steven of New Zealand at the Halle grass court tournament in Germany, led 6-4, 1-0 when apparently suffered a sharp pain in his left thigh. The Austrian continued the match, which he lost 2-6, 1-6, and then announced he would not be at Wimbledon.

"In nine weeks I've had just six days off which is just not enough," Muster said. "I'll have to leave Wimbledon out." His place in the draw will be taken by Holland's Richard Krajicek who lost to Muster in the final of the Italian Open this year.

"I received a phone call from Thomas Muster, who said that it was with regret that he has to withdraw" said Alan Mills, the Wimbledon referee. His withdrawal is, a result of having aggravated a leg injury.

Obviously a number of eyebrows were raised after this news. Muster made it quite clear at the weekend that he was unhappy at being, seeded so low. Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam tournament that does not adhere to the rankings for its seedings. The All England Club reserves the right to juggle, and because of Muster's previous record on grass - four matches, four defeats - they dropped him down to number seven.