Ashleigh Barty pulls out of Indian Wells

Ashleigh Barty will not play at the 2021 Indian Wells Masters as the Australian player leaves the rest of her 2021 campaign in doubt.

Ashleigh Barty last played at the US Open where the Australian was stunned by native Shelby Rogers ending her campaign. Barty was one of the favourites for the event after arriving in New York after a title run in Cincinnati. However, a shaky display saw her get beaten by a player she regularly bested before. Barty declined to comment on the rest of her 2021 admitting that she was feeling burnout and missing home.

Her coach revealed a week later that Baryt was unlikely to play at the WTA Finals after it was announced that they would take place in Guadalajara, Mexico. Her coach explained she was unsure whether to play due to the harsh conditions (altitude, different balls). That is now in doubt after Barty unexpectedly pulled out of the Indian Wells Masters without giving any reason as to why.

Barty has been outspoken about her difficulty to deal with life on tour saying that she is very homesick and struggles to be away from Australia for a prolonged period of the day. It's only natural after Barty spent all of 2020 back home that she would struggle to acclimate to life on the road so suddenly in 2021. If Barty decides to miss the rest of 2021 it would be still one of her best years yet with several notable titles including 2 Masters and Wimbledon.