Home favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has confirmed he will miss the French Open later this month after failing to recover from knee surgery.

The world number 37 went under the knife last month and had hoped to be ready to feature at Roland Garros, but he has now confirmed on social media he has lost his race to be fit, while he will also sit out next week’s Lyon Open.

“Despite all the efforts to get back on time, I am unfortunately forced to withdraw from the Lyon Open and French Open,” Tsonga posted on Twitter.

“I’m obviously very disappointed, but I still want to come to Lyon as an ambassador and to Roland Garros as a spectator.”

Tsonga, who is a two-time semi-finalist at the French Open, will miss the second Grand Slam of the year for the first time since 2008, while his absence from the Lyon Open will also be a blow as he is the reigning champion, having beaten Tomas Berdych in the final 12 months ago.

The 33-year-old has been sidelined with his knee problem since losing to fellow Frenchman Lucas Pouille in the semi-finals of the Montpellier International in February.

Tsonga’s participation at Wimbledon could also be in doubt although the Frenchman still has time to prove his fitness for the tournament at the All England Club.