MINSK, 4 October (BelTA) – Belarusian number one and world number two Aryna Sabalenka will not play at the Indian Wells tournament after testing positive for Covid-19, according to the press service of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus.
“Unfortunately I've tested positive at Indian Wells and won't be able to compete. I've started my isolation and I'll be staying here until I'm cleared by the doctors and health officials. So far I'm looking okay but really sad to not be able to play this year,” the 23-year-old Belarusian wrote on her Instagram.
Aryna Sabalenka is a reigning champion (2019) of the tournament in the women's doubles event together with Elise Mertens of Belgium. As for other Belarusians, the women's doubles event at the tournament was earlier won by Natasha Zvereva paired with Lindsay Davenport of the United States. Belarus' Victoria Azarenka won the Indian Wells singles event in 2012 and 2016.
This year the tournament in Indian Wells will kick off on 6 October.
