Reigning Australian Open women’s singles champion Ash Barty is set to return to the court at the Indian Wells Masters in March.
Barty is sitting out the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy, the first WTA event since the Australian Open, and is highly unlikely to feature at any of the handful of tournaments that remain in February.
According to a statement from the tournament, the world No.1 will at the latest return to the court in California at the Indian Wells Masters, a WTA1000 event that begins on March 9.
Barty missed last year’s Indian Wells Masters in October, and all tournaments after the US Open, in order to prepare for the Australian Open, which she won last month.
“Indian Wells is definitely at the top of the list when it comes to favourite stops on tour,” said Barty in a statement provided to tournament organisers.
“The tournament team does a fantastic job looking after the players and putting on a great event for fans. My team and I were disappointed to miss the October event but we look forward to returning in March.”
Barty became the first Aussie since Chris O’Neil in 1978 to win the Australian Open when she defeated American Danielle Collins in straight sets in the final on January 29.
With the victory, Barty hoisted the third grand slam tournament trophy of her career and now only needs to win the US Open to pull off a career Grand Slam.
Barty last appeared at the Indian Wells Masters in 2019. She reached the round of 16 but was knocked out by then-world No.6 Elina Svitolina.
It was widely reported this week that former world No.1 Naomi Osaka would also return to the court at the Indian Wells Masters, having exited the Australian Open in the third round.
