Top seed Sabalenka out of BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells after testing positive for Covid-19

Sunday, 03 October 2021 at 11:03

Aryna Sabalenka is the latest big name casualty in the women's draw at BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells after testing positive for Covid-19.

Sabalenka was set to be top seed with withdrawals for the likes of Naomi Osaka, Ashleigh Barty and Sofia Kenin.

She took to Instagram to reveal the news saying the following: "Unfortunately I've tested positive at Indian Wells and won't be able to compete. I've started my isolation and I'll be staying here until I'm cleared by the doctors and health officials. So far I'm feeling ok but really sad to not be able to play this year."

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The Belarusian has previously said she is not planning on getting vaccinated and didn't want her family to either.

"They just make it, like really quick and there wasn't enough time to test it and to see what can happen," she said.

"It's tough to say, but I don't really want it yet and I don't want my family to take it."

Luigi Gatto

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Aryna Sabalenka has tested positive with Covid-19 In March she had said she was not planning to get vaccinated: "I don't trust the vaccine. They made it very quickly and there wasn't enough time to test it and to see what can happen. I do not want my family to make it, either."