INTERNATIONAL: World number two, Aryna Sabalenka, will not play at the Indian Wells tournament after testing positive for Covid-19. Her absence is another blow to the tournament which starts on Monday, with men's world number one Novak Djokovic, 2018 champion Naomi Osaka and 23-times Grand Slam champion Serena Williams also not competing.

Aryna Sabalenka was the top seed in the women's draw at Indian Wells, after world number one Ash Barty pulled out from the WTA 1000 event. Sablenka took to Instagram at the weekend to say that “unfortunately I've tested positive at Indian Wells and won't be able to compete". She’ll be in isolation for the next two weeks while she waits for doctors to give her the all-clear.

Sabalenka has already qualified for the season-ending WTA Finals. They’re contested by the world's top eight singles players and eight doubles teams. They’ll be held next month in Guadalajara, Mexico.

^{PHOTO: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (FILE - AUGUST 20, 2019) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)}