3 Things to Know: May 19

Federer pulls out of French Open; Sharapova's hearing; Young stars win. (AP Photo)

1

The world No. 3's record of appearing in 65 straight Grand Slam events is over. Roger Federer announced on Facebook that he is withdrawing from the French Open, despite arriving in Paris and practicing. "I have been making steady progress with my overall fitness, but I am still not 100% and feel I might be taking an unnecessary risk by playing in this event before I am really ready," he wrote.

Federer pulled out of Madrid with a back injury, and suffered an early loss in Rome to Dominic Thiem.

2

Multiple reports have said that Maria Sharapova’s anti-doping hearing with the International Tennis Federation began on Wednesday. But the date hasn’t actually been confirmed, and the decision usually takes a few weeks. While the world is waiting, the head of the Russian Tennis Federation, Shamil Tarpishchev was quoted as saying her situation was “bad” and it was “very doubtful” she will ever play again. He later backtracked and said, ''I only said that she can't play now because no ruling on her case has been issued.”

3

A couple of ATP next generation stars are enjoying wins at the final tuneup before Roland Garros. In Nice, top-seeded Dominic Thiem moved into the quarters with a swift 6-3, 6-0 win over Leonardo Mayer. At the other side of the draw, teenager Alexander Zverev had a bit more trouble beating Marcel Granollers, 7-5, 6-7 (3), 6-2. On Thursday, he upset No. 2 seed Gilles Simon in a 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (0) marathon. Both Zverev and Thiem will be dangerous threats in the draw in Paris, which comes out Friday.