Jo Wilfried Tsonga pulls out of Indian Wells Masters

French tennis star Jo Wilfried Tsonga has suffered another setback as he has been forced to withdraw from the Indian Wells Masters.

Former world No. 5 Tsonga has had a rough start to the season as his lone two matches played in 2020 ended with a loss and retirement. 

The Frenchman's season started with a first round loss suffered at the Qatar Open in Doha, while he couldn't finish his first round match at the Australian Open. 

Rising Australian star Alexei Popyrin led 6-7 (5) 6-2 6-1 when the 34-year-old Frenchman retired the match due to a back injury. 

Tsonga, now ranked at No. 43 in the world, is still recovering from the injury and he won't be returning to Indian Wells for the first time since 2017. 

Following the withdrawal of two-time Indian Wells quarterfinalist Tsonga, a place in the Indian Wells main draw has opened for rising Swedish star Mikael Ymer.

Ymer, ranked at No. 75 in the world, is set to debut in Indian Wells as he has no previous appearances in the desert.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/38KHgg5