NO INDIAN WELLS FOR ASH

AUSTRALIA’S Ash Barty has withdrawn from the WTA Indian Wells singles draw, tournament organisers have announced.

Officials gave no reason for the world No.1’s decision to pull out of next month’s women’s draw, which was already suffering from the absence of several top-ranked players, including Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams.

Barty, winner of two Grand Slam tournaments (Roland Garros in 2019 and Wimbledon in 2021), had a disappointing performance at the US Open earlier this month when she lost in the third round to American Shelby Rogers.

This was expected to be the Australian’s first action since her early US Open exit.

Barty has competed in two previous Indian Wells events with her best result being a round-of-16 appearance back in 2019.