A shattered de Minaur is planning to turn his phone off and get away from tennis completely once the Australian Open begins on Monday.

An abdominal tear forced the 20-year-old's hand, with the Australian men's No.1 on Thursday withdrawing from the tournament.

Monfils said he felt for de Minaur as he knows how difficult the decision would have been.

The 33-year-old veteran had to pull out of the French Open in 2012 and 2016 through injury and illness respectively.

"I remember myself having to pull out of the French Open, it's never easy. It's the first time for him," Monfils told AAP.

"Alex is a good kid. He's a great kid and I'm sure he will bounce back strongly."

De Minaur said he agonised over the decision, but risked long-term damage if he went out on court.

"I thought of every way I could step out on court, even if it meant me serving under-arm," he told AAP at an ASICS promotion on Friday.

"I've just got to look after my body and there'll be more Australian Opens in the future.

"Everyone told me not to play and that I'd be stupid to play."

The world No.21 is facing at least four weeks on the sidelines and is cautiously targeting a comeback at the Indian Wells Masters in March.

Australian Associated Press