Serena Williams’ Indian Wells retirement could cost her top ten spot in rankings

WTA Tour
Serena Williams waves Indian Wells goodbye

Serena Williams’ Indian Wells withdrawal has thrown her spot in WTA’s top ten rankings into danger.

The 23-time Grand Slam was forced to retire from her third round clash against Garbine Muguruza, complaining of ‘dizziness and fatigue.”

However, there may be consequences for her world ranking, with Ashliegh Barty breathing down her neck.

Australian Barty, is currently ranked 11th in the world, but will kick Williams out of the top ten should she progress past Elina Svitolina and into the Indian Wells quarter-finals.

“I’ve played against Barty a couple of times,” said Svitolina.

“I know her game a little bit so I have to be ready, and I’ll try to recover for a tough one.

“Barty is playing really good tennis now, beating some top players.

“She can produce a very good match, so I’ll have to be ready for that.”

Should Barty move into the top ten in the world, she will become the first Australian to do so in six years.

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