By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, March 8, 2024
Indian Wells has misplaced its defending champion.
Reigning champion Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open as a consequence of sickness.
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Rybakina’s withdrawal extends a streak of champion’s unable to defend within the desert.
Martina Navratilova, who defended in 1991, is the final lady to efficiently defend Indian Wells.
World No. 4 Rybakina has roared to a 17-3 begin on the season.
Elena Rybakina has withdrawn as a consequence of sickness.
We want our 2023 champion a speedy restoration ❤️ #IndianWells pic.twitter.com/6kmvhNU00P
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 9, 2024
Rybakina opened the season crushing Aryna Sabalenka to seize Brisbane. Final month, Rybakina swept Daria Kasatkina to gather her seventh profession title in Abu Dhabi and reached the Doha closing falling to world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
The 2022 Wimbledon winner conceded a walkover to Jasmine Paolini within the Dubai quarterfinals.
A yr in the past, Rybakina out-dueled Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(11), 6-4 within the Indian Wells closing.
Photograph credit score: Clive Brunskill/Getty