Ashleigh Barty and Karolina Pliskova Announce Unfortunate News for Billie Jean King Cup Finals

World No.1 Ashleigh Barty will unfortunately not take part in Australia’s attempt to win the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. In place of her, the country’s young and talented Ajla Tomljanovic will head Team Down Under in Prague, Czech Republic.

Besides, the sensational Karolina Pliskova has also decided to skip the tournament this year. She reasoned the same, stating she wanted to focus on the Champions Tournament and allow younger girls to represent their country in such significant events.

Earlier, Barty with John Peers bagged the bronze medal for Australia in Tokyo Olympics mixed doubles event. Afterward, she competed at the US Open but crashed out in the third round against Shelby Rogers.

Since then, Barty has not played a single tournament on the WTA Tour. Deservingly well, she took a break after a long road trip on the circuit, which started in February.

Read More: “Her Family Comes First”: Coach Details the Real Reason For Serena Williams’ Grand Slam Drought

Ashleigh Barty, Karolina Pliskova opt-out of Billie Jean King Cup Finals

In 2019, the Aussie ace helped her country reach the finals of the Fed Cup. However, in the deciding doubles match, Ashleigh Barty and Samantha Stosur lost to France, and so the title.

Notably, the last time Australia won the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, known as the Fed Cup then, was in 1974. And this year, their top player has decided to miss the event altogether.

As for Karolina Pliskova, she expressed what the tournament has meant for her in the past. But given the tight calendar, she had no option but to make a difficult choice.

“I’ve played the Fed Cup several times, and we’ve won the finals twice, so I know how beautiful the emotions are. But I will not be on the team this year,” Pliskova said.

Unsurprisingly, both Barty and Pliskova have also qualified for the WTA Finals this year. But while the Czech star is proud to make it into the Top 8, it is still unsure if the Aussie would play to defend her title.

Read More: Ons Jabeur Creates History by Crashing Into Top-15 Rankings After Great Run at WTA Chicago 2021

Is Barty playing Indian Wells 2021?

No, Barty has been on a break since US Open 2021 and has extended it to the Indian Wells tournament. She is one of the biggest names in the missing list of players competing in the desert this year.

Do you think after withdrawing from Indian Wells and Billie Jean King Cup Finals, Barty will come out to defend her WTA Finals title? Let’s wait and see.

Watch this story: A Look Inside Pete Sampras’ Million Dollar Lifestyle