Indian Wells is drawing ever closer, with the first main draw matches getting set to take place.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is bidding for Indian Wells history, as he looks to return to winning ways after being beaten by Jiri Lehecka in Doha.
With the tournament making a significant change after 25 years, Alcaraz has reacted to Indian Wells’ decision.
Australian Open champion Madison Keys will also play at Indian Wells, in her first tournament since her maiden major triumph.
While some Grand Slam champions are set to California, the Wimbledon champion had already withdrawn from Indian Wells and now she has been joined by a former US Open winner.
Sloane Stephens withdraws from Indian Wells just before the tournament starts
Despite featuring in the Indian Wells draw after receiving a wildcard, Sloane Stephens has withdrawn from the tournament.
Stephens was set to play compatriot and fellow Grand Slam champion Sofia Kenin, but that match will no longer be going ahead after the tournament confirmed that the 2017 US Open winner had withdrawn.
Citing a foot injury, Stephens was replaced by qualifier Maddison Inglis, who will now play Kenin on Thursday March 6.
It has been a tough few months for Stephens, who has fallen to her lowest ranking in nearly eight years.
When did Sloane Stephens last win a match?
Stephens is currently on a 10-match losing streak, that dates back to July last year.
This includes Stephens being shocked at the US Open, where she lost to Clara Burel despite winning the first nine games of the match.
The former world number three’s last win came at Wimbledon, where Stephens beat lucky loser Elsa Jacquemot in the first round.
| Year | Tournament | Result |
| 2024 | Wimbledon Championships | Diana Shnaider beat Stephens, 6-1 6-1 |
| 2024 | Washington Open | Amanda Anisimova beat Stephens, 6-3 7-5 |
| 2024 | Canadian Open | Greet Minnen beat Stephens, 6-2 6-2 |
| 2024 | US Open | Clara Burel beat Stephens, 0-6 7-5 7-5 |
| 2024 | Guadalajara Open | Olivia Gadecki beat Stephens, 6-4 6-3 |
| 2024 | Korea Open | Hailey Baptiste beat Stephens, 7-6(4) 6-2 |
| 2025 | Auckland Open | Ann Li beat Stephens, 5-7 6-4 6-4 |
| 2025 | Hobart International | Anni Li beat Stephens, 7-5 6-1 |
| 2025 | Australian Open | Aryna Sabalenka beat Stephens, 6-3 6-2 |
| 2025 | Merida Open | Petra Martic beat Stephens, 6-2 6-3 |
Stephens previously suggested that she could retire if she kept losing, and will look to return to winning ways at a tournament that she has previously won.
With the 31-year-old looking to recover from her injury, Stephens has received a Miami Open wildcard for the tournament that will get underway on Tuesday March 18.
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