The WTA number one, Ashleigh Barty, withdrew from the traditional WTA 500 Sydney Classic tournament to have more time to recover for the Australian Open, which starts next week.
Ashleigh Barty won the singles title in WTA 500 Adelaide International on Sunday, beating on the final the Kazah tennis player Elena Rybakina by 2-0 (6:3, 6:2) and then partnered with Storm Sanders for the doubles title.
“I’m withdrawing from the Sydney Classic to have time to recover before the Australian Open”, said Ashleigh Barty. “I’m sorry I won’t have a chance to play for Sydney fans this year, I hope to see you again soon. I wish the players and the people involved in the tournament all the best for the coming week”, added she.
The Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, starts on January 17.
Ashleigh Barty is the permanent number one in the WTA ranking since September 8, 2019. She has won fourteen singles titles and twelve doubles titles on the WTA Tour, including two Grand Slam singles titles.