Ash Barty out of Indian Wells tournament, season could be over
World No.1 Ash Barty's season could be over, after she withdrew from one of the WTA Tour's most prestigious tournaments.
The Australian has pulled out of next month's Indian Wells tournament, casting doubt over her schedule for the rest of 2021, having already indicated she was considering skipping the season-ending WTA finals in Mexico.
Barty hasn't played since a third round loss to Shelby Rogers at the US Open, a match where she blew a 5-2 lead in the third set.
Ash Barty has withdrawn from Indian Wells. Getty
After that match she confirmed she would be playing Indian Wells.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll be there," she said.
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But the Indian Wells tournament confirmed her absence this morning, meaning Barty will join Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams on the sidelines.
Barty's coach, Craig Tyzzer, said earlier this month that she would possibly skip the WTA finals, which she won in 2019, citing the need to quarantine on her return to Australia.
Tyzzer said that would be less than ideal preparation for January's Australian Open, and also noted that the conditions in Mexico, which is 1500 metres above sea level, would be especially challenging.
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Barty has been on the road since March, with Australia's travel restrictions making it impossible for her to return home when she has a week off.
She holds a commanding lead at the top of the world rankings, having added this year's Wimbledon crown to her Roland Garros title from 2019.
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