A top-10 pro and former Major champion will unfortunately not appear at the delayed BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in California.

World number eight Sofia Kenin has withdrawn from the WTA 1000 event at Indian Wells, the tournament announced via Twitter.

The news adds to what has been a tough season for the 2020 Australian Open champion.

Kenin has played just 10 events so far in 2021 and has been to a quarter-final just once out of those occasions. Over the season, the American has accrued an 11-10 win-loss record.

Her best Slam result came at Roland Garros, reaching the fourth round before being defeated by eventual semi-finalist Maria Sakkari.

🇺🇸 Sofia Kenin has withdrawn from #BNPPO21.

Hope to see you back next March 🌴 pic.twitter.com/BvVvOlKBE6

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) September 28, 2021

At the Australian Open and Wimbledon, Kenin only reached the second round before bowing out. The 22-year-old has not played since Wimbledon, over two months ago.

Kenin has never done particularly well at Indian Wells, making just two appearances, exiting in the second round both times.

However, her withdrawal is still not positive news. It throws into doubt her appearing at the WTA tour Finals in Guadalajara, Mexico, both from the perspective of even qualifying for the event and with regards to her fitness to compete.

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