• WTA Tour

Safina withdraws from Indian Wells

ESPN staff
March 3, 2010
Dinara Safina was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open with the same back complaint © Getty Images
Enlarge

World No. 2 Dinara Safina will not compete at next week's Indian Wells tournament after withdrawing due to a persistent back injury.

The Russian, who has not played since pulling out of the Australian Open in January with the same back complaint, would have been the top seed at the California event.

"Unfortunately, I will not be able to play in Indian Wells this year because of the back injury that's been bothering me since the end of last season," Safina said on her official website.

The 23-year-old is now targeting the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, which starts on March 23, for her return to competitive action.

French Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova will replace Safina as No. 1 seed at Indian Wells, while Justine Henin will compete after being granted a wildcard.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices