Ash Barty says she’s not at the ‘necessary’ level to win after Indian Wells withdrawal

World number one Ashleigh Barty says she’s not at the “level necessary” to win tournaments right now and has therefore withdrawn from the upcoming Indian Wells event. 

Barty claimed her third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open this year and is yet to lose a match so far in 2022. 

But the Aussie has not played since Melbourne and has now revealed her body has not ‘recovered’ in the way she hoped. 

As a result she will miss the prestigious Indian Wells tournament in California, as well as the Miami Open – a competition she won last year. 

In a statement on her social media platforms, the 25-year-old said: “I wanted to share an update on my schedule for the coming months.

“Unfortunately my body has not recovered the way I’d hoped after the Australian Open and I have not been able to adequately prepare for Indian Wells and Miami.

“I don’t believe I am at the level necessary to win these events and as a result I have decided to withdraw from both tournaments.

“I love these events and am sad not to be there competing but getting my body right must be my focus.”

WTA has a fuller statement from #1 Ash Barty, who aims to play a BJK Cup tie in Australia in April.https://t.co/hb4E4kRfsc pic.twitter.com/JqUdw8RpUO

While Barty didn’t play at Indian Wells last year, her number one status is likely to be dented somewhat by missing the Miami Open, which is classed as a WTA 1000 event.

The three-time major winner is around 3000 points in front of world number two Barbora Krejcikova right now but will lose 1000 points by missing Miami. 

However, given Barty was absent from last year’s French Open, she will have the chance to claw back any lost points if she recovers in time to compete.

Krejcikova claimed her maiden major title at