Defending champion Elena Rybakina withdrew from the ATP-WTA Indian Wells Masters on Friday hours before her first match due to a gastrointestinal illness. The former Wimbledon champion and fourth seed from Kazakhstan was scheduled to start her campaign in the second round against Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska. She was replaced in the draw by lucky loser Kayla Day of the United States. “It is with great sadness that I must announce that I will not be able to compete in this year’s Indian Wells tournament due to gastrointestinal issues,” Rybakina said in a statement.

“Those close to me know how much this fight means to me and how much I want to come back and defend my title.

“I want to thank all the fans who came out here to support me and I’m sad they didn’t get the chance to see me play this year.

“Now I’ll rest and recover so I can come out and compete to the best of my ability again for my fans.”

Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s final and has already won two titles this season, winning in Brisbane and Abu Dhabi. But she withdrew from the scheduled quarter-finals in Dubai last month while complaining of gastrointestinal discomfort.

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