World number one Barty ends 2021 season early, will not defend WTA Finals title

World number one Ashleigh Barty has ended her season and will not defend her WTA Finals title in November because of the quarantine rules she would face on her return to Australia.

The WTA Finals will hold in Guadalajara, Mexico this year.

The 25-year-old Australian said she did not want to “compromise” her preparation for the Australian Open, which will hold in January.

“It was a difficult decision,” the world number one and Wimbledon champion said in a statement.

“But I need to prioritise my body and my recovery from our 2021 season and focus on having the strongest preseason for the Australian summer.

“With the ongoing challenges of travelling back to Queensland and quarantine requirements, I am not willing to compromise my preparation for January.

“My focus is now on the Australian summer and doing everything I can to win the Australian Open.”

Barty, who won five titles in 2021 including the Wimbledon Championships, has not played since losing in the third round of the US Open in early September.