World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty, winner of the Australian Open in late January, announced her retirement from the WTA 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami this month on Thursday, citing a lack of physical recovery after efforts made during of the Grand Slam.
“Unfortunately my body did not recover as I had hoped after the Australian Open and I could not properly prepare for Indian Wells and Miami,” she said in a statement.
“I do not think I have reached the level necessary to win these tournaments and so I decided to retire from these two tables. “I love these competitions and I’m sorry I do not participate in them, but I have to focus on getting my body in shape,” he added.
The 25-year-old Australian, for her ninth appearance, was crowned queen in Melbourne on January 29, defeating American Danielle Collins (no 11) in the final, winning her third Major “at home” after Roland-Garros in 2019 and Wimbledon. in 2021.
His absence from Indian Wells (March 9-20) and that of Collins (injured) will benefit the French Océane Dodin and the Hungarian Anna Bondar, who will enter the main draw.
Barty, who has a comfortable lead at the top of the WTA rankings, will, however, lose points with her package from Miami (March 23 – April 3), where she won in 2021.
She is scheduled to return to the field in mid-April.
“My goal is to represent Australia in the next Billie Jean King Cup (April 11-13). “Since I missed this event last year, I can’t wait to wear green and gold again,” he concluded.
