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Gael Monfils says he will not play next week's Davis Cup tie for France, saying he appears to have experienced small side-effects to his third COVID-19 vaccination dose, but should be back on tour in two weeks.

"I want to give you some news following my recent tournament withdrawals," the 35-year-old Frenchman said on social media. "I have been experiencing a small health issue (probably from my third dose). Upon the advice of my doctor, I have decided to take some time to rest. I cannot, unfortunately, play Davis Cup next week. I hope to come back in the United States."

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pic.twitter.com/JEG16vPhLj
— Gael Monfils (@Gael_Monfils) February 22, 2022

In a subsequent message, Monfils added that he was aiming to return for the BNP Paribas Open, which kicks off on March 7 in Indian Wells.

He also slammed speculation about his condition, saying, "Following several examinations, doctors made a hypothesis about my state of health. Let's stop appropriating everyone's words for political purposes or simply for supporting your convictions. I do not have any regrets getting vaccinated.

"The causes of my issues are unsure and even the doctors cannot tell me what has led to it."

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Merci beaucoup pour tous vos messages de soutien. Ce tweet était une simple update sur mon état de forme actuel suite à mes derniers forfaits. Après plusieurs examens, les médecins ont émis une hypothèse sur la potentielle nature de mon état de santé. 1/4
— Gael Monfils (@Gael_Monfils) February 23, 2022

The crowd-pleasing veteran got off to a good start this season, winning the ATP event in Adelaide and reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, but has not played since an opening round defeat in Montpellier.

Monfils is No. 25 in the rankings.

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