WTA world number one Ashleigh Barty has decided not to defend her crown at this year’s WTA Finals event, thereby bringing her 2021 season to a premature end. The Australian decided to rather direct her focus to the Australian leg of the WTA calendar that is set to begin at the start of next year. This includes the Australian Open Grand Slam, which takes place in Melbourne.
The 25-year-old was able to retain her number one ranking by picking up five titles this season, including the coveted Wimbledon women’s singles title. This means that the Australian has managed to end the season as the number one women’s singles player for the third season running.
With the WTA Finals being canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Barty won the 2019 edition of the tournament, raking in $6.4 million in prize money, the largest check in tennis history.
The main reason behind Barty’s decision to end her season prematurely seems to be the current quarantine requirements in Australia, Reportedly, the player is wanting to avoid spending a second two-week period in quarantine in a two-month period upon return to her home country.
