Barty may sit out remainder of 2021 season

World No. 1 Ash Barty has yet to make a call whether she will play the rescheduled WTA Finals in Mexico in November after pulling out of the WTA 1000 tournament at Indian Wells next week.

Barty has been on the road since March and is keen to return to Australia to see family.

Her coach Craig Tyzzer said earlier this month she might not defend her WTA Finals crown after the season-ending tournament was moved to Guadalajara, Mexico.

“Ash has withdrawn from Indian Wells to come home and see her family in Australia,” Barty’s manager Nikki Mathias said.

“She has been away from home since March and with the two-week hotel quarantine requirement to come into Australia, it has not been possible for her to return home before now.

“No further decisions have been made on events after Indian Wells yet.”

Barty has qualified for the WTA Finals and Australia would want her to lead their challenge in the inaugural Billie Jean King Cup in Prague, which starts November 1.

Peter Rowe

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