Indian Wells Masters lose two big-name players as Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber withdraw

WTA Tour
Simona Halep disappointed

The Indian Wells Masters have been dealt a double blow as Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber won’t feature this year due to injury.

Having won the Dubai title a fortnight ago, Halep withdrew from last week’s tournament in Dubai in order to be ready for the Sunshine Double, but she has not fully recovered for next week’s tournament in California.

The 2105 Indian Wells Masters winner revealed that she is still being troubled by a foot injury.

“I’m incredibly disappointed to have to withdraw from the 2020 BNP Paribas Open,” the two-time Grand Slam winner said. “Unfortunately the foot injury that I picked up before Dubai is still causing me trouble and I will be unable to recover in time to travel to Indian Wells.

“It is without doubt one of the highlights of the tennis calendar for me and I will be really sad to miss it, but I’m already looking forward to being back in 2021!”

Kerber, who finished runner-up to Bianca Andreescu in last year’s final, last played competitive tennis at the Australian Open and she is still struggling with a leg injury.

“My patience is being tested these days as I’m still recovering from a left leg injury,” she wrote on social media.

“I was hoping to be ready in time for the upcoming tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami, but my medical team advised me to give it a little bit more rest. Thanks for your support! I can’t wait to be back on court soon…”

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Angelique Kerber Simona Halep

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