World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty announced on Thursday that she will miss both the BNP Paribas Open and Miami Open.
Barty revealed recovering from her Australian Open victory took “longer than [she] thought,” and, in a fuller statement released by the WTA, announced her aim be back in time to play Billie Jean King Cup for Australia.
“I love these events and am sad not to be there competing, but getting my body right must be my focus,” Barty said.
Billie Jean Cup qualifying takes place the week of April 11, immediately before Stuttgart’s Porsche Grand Prix—which Barty won in 2021.
The 25-year-old has not played a tournament since winning her third major title at the in Melbourne, where she defeated Danielle Collins in the final. Collins will also miss the BNP Paribas Open, citing continuing injury. Océane Dodin and Anna Bondar therefore move into the main draw.
Barty is the double-defending champion in Miami, having lifted the trophy in 2019 and 2021—the tournament was not held in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns—but has not played at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden since 2019, opting to shut down her 2021 season following the US Open and therefore miss the BNP Paribas Open’s fall staging.
Sitting atop the WTA rankings for the last 105 weeks—and is currently tied with Justine Henin at 117 weeks in total— she holds a 2907-point lead over world No. 2 and reigning Roland Garros champion Barbora Krejcikova, but will lose 1000 points by not defending her title in Miami.
The BNP Paribas Open recently announced 2018 champion Naomi Osaka and 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin have accepted wild cards into the women’s draw, joining last year’s winner Paula Badosa and runner-up Victoria Azarenka in the 128-player draw.
Barty’s Miami withdrawal means neither of 2021’s finalists will play at the Hard Rock Stadium, as Bianca Andreescu’s extended absence from action is set to stretch into a sixth month since her BNP Paribas Open defeat to Anett Kontaveit in September.