By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, March 8, 2024
Indian Wells has lost its defending champion.
Reigning champion Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open due to illness.
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Rybakina’s withdrawal extends a streak of champion’s unable to defend in the desert.
Martina Navratilova, who defended in 1991, is the last woman to successfully defend Indian Wells.
World No. 4 Rybakina has roared to a 17-3 start on the season.
Elena Rybakina has withdrawn due to illness.
We wish our 2023 champion a speedy recovery ❤️ #IndianWells pic.twitter.com/6kmvhNU00P
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 9, 2024
Rybakina opened the season crushing Aryna Sabalenka to capture Brisbane. Last month, Rybakina swept Daria Kasatkina to collect her seventh career title in Abu Dhabi and reached the Doha final falling to world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
The 2022 Wimbledon winner conceded a walkover to Jasmine Paolini in the Dubai quarterfinals.
A year ago, Rybakina out-dueled Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(11), 6-4 in the Indian Wells final.
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty
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