Aryna Sabalenka tests positive for Covid-19, withdraws from the 2021 Indian Wells
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Aryna Sabalenka
World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka becomes the latest big name to withdraw from the final WTA-1000 event of the season, the 2021 Indian Wells Open. The 23-year old Belarusian tested positive for Covid-19 in the latest round of testing which may keep her out for weeks which is subject to how serious the infection is.
Aryna is a 4-time champion in the singles discipline of the WTA-1000 events and has 2 doubles titles in the WTA-1000 category which includes her doubles title at the 2019 Indian Wells Open with partner Elise Mertens. In the singles, she is yet to go past the 4th round at the Indian Wells.
She had a great chance this time around and would have been the favourite for the title given her great form this season having already won the WTA-1000 Madrid Open 2021. Sabalenka was set to be the top-seed this year as World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty had already pulled out because of her injury that has kept her on the sidelines for a while now participating in very few tournaments.
Aryna Sabalenka joins Ash Barty, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Sofia Kenin on the absentee list
The 2021 Indian Wells has seen quite a lot of withdrawals before the start of the tournament. Former champions Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka and Elena Vesnina will not be making the trip to California this season. Ash Barty, Sofia Kenin, Jennifer Brady and Johanna Konta are few others who have announced their withdrawal from the tournament.
On the ATP Tour as well, there are quite a few big names that are not playing this year. None of the former champions Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Dominic Thiem will be playing this time as all of them are nursing their injuries apart from Djokovic who is taking some time off after what has been a gruelling season for the World No. 1.
Marin Cilic, Milos Raonic, Stan Wawrinka and Ugo Humbert are some of the others who have decided to not play in this year’s tournament. The 2021 Indian Wells qualifiers will kickstart the tournament from the 4th of October and will conclude with the Men’s Singles finals on the 17th of October.
Also Read: Rafael Nadal finishes 6000 days on the bounce in ATP top-10 despite persistent injury issues
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)