Sabalenka positive for virus, excluding BNP Paribas Open – Action News Jax

INDIAN WELLS, Calif .– (AP) – Second, Aryna Sabalenka, says she has tested positive for the coronavirus and will miss the upcoming BNP Paribas Open.

The Belarusian player was expected to be among the seeds of the tournament from October 4-17 in Indian Wells after No.1 Wimbledon champion Ash Barty retired to rest at home in Australia.

“Unfortunately, I tested positive at Indian Wells and will not be able to compete,” Sabalenka wrote on Instagram on Saturday. “I have started my isolation and will stay here until I am cleared by the doctors and health officials. So far I feel good but really sad that I can’t play this year.

The tournament in the Southern California desert would have been Sabalenka’s first competitive event since losing to Leylah Fernandez in the US Open semifinals on September 10.

She is the latest in a series of players who will not compete at Indian Wells, including Barty, Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams on the women’s side and Novak Djokovic on the men’s side. The BNP Paribas Open has been moved from its usual March date due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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