The expected has become a reality. World number one Ashleigh Barty has officially ended this year’s tennis season and is not expected to defend her 2019 title at the Champions Tournament. The 25-year-old Australian wants to prepare for the start of the new year, when she would like to win the Australian Open home grand slam for the first time in her career.
World number one Ashleigh Barty.
“It was a difficult decision, but I have to give priority to my body and recovery from the 2021 season,” said Barty, who last played at the US Open in September. She then returned home to Brisbane after many months, where she had to undergo a two-week quarantine due to coronavirus measures.
The same would await her if she traveled to the Champions Tournament, which will be hosted by Guadalajara, Mexico, from November 10. “Given the continuing difficulties in returning to Queensland and the quarantine conditions, I do not want to jeopardize my preparations for January,” Barty explained.
Heading to Guadalajara ????
Our top 8 singles and doubles players will compete for year-end glory ???? at the Akron WTA Finals, taking place November 10-17th in Mexico! pic.twitter.com/d5kYm6Fr1x
— WTA Finals (@WTAFinals) September 20, 2021
The Australian star won five titles this year, including his second grand slam at Wimbledon in July. He is also sure that he will end the year as the world number one. Barty won the champions tournament two years ago in Shenzhen, last year the WTA Tour final was not held due to a coronavirus pandemic.
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