Lindsay Davenport has pulled out of Eastbourne.

The defending champion withdrew because of a knee problem that also sidelines her for Wimbledon.

Top seed Davenport had hoped to mark her return to competition after eight months out in the Britannic Asset Management Championships at Devonshire Park next week.

The 1999 Wimbledon champion said: "I am extremely disappointed about not being able to play at Eastbourne and Wimbledon this year. I really expected I could make it back from my surgery in time. But it is just not possible yet.

"I've been working hard on my rehabilitation. It's been going really well.

"But unfortunately my doctor says I'm not yet ready to compete at the highest level."

Davenport, 26 last Saturday, underwent surgery in January.

Her agent Tony Godsick said: "Lindsay had hopes because the rehab is going very well, but grass is not the best surface to come back on because it is one which requires a lot of knee bending."

Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario withdrew from Eastbourne last week because of "exhaustion" and her place in the main draw has gone to Amanda Coetzer.

Anna Kournikova had a training run in Eastbourne yesterday in preparation for the event.