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'Really sad': Tennis world gutted over Bianca Andreescu announcement

Bianca Andreescu, pictured here during the Miami Open final against Ash Barty.
Bianca Andreescu looks on during the Miami Open final against Ash Barty. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Bianca Andreescu has suffered another devastating setback after an injury-plagued 18 months on the WTA Tour.

The Canadian star announced on Sunday that she's been forced to withdraw from the upcoming Madrid Open after testing positive for COVID-19.

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"After testing negative twice before my flight to Madrid, I was sadly informed that I had tested positive upon arrival for Covid-19 and therefore will not be playing at the Madrid Open later this week," the World No.6 wrote on Twitter.

"I am feeling good, I am resting, and continuing to follow the health protocols and safety guidelines.

"I look forward to getting back on the court very soon."

Ash Barty and Bianca Andreescu, pictured here at the Miami Open.
Ash Barty and Bianca Andreescu at the Miami Open. (Photo by Alberto E. Tamargo/Sipa USA)

It serves as yet another setback for the 20-year-old, who retired hurt in the Miami Open final against Ash Barty last month with a right foot injury.

After shocking Serena Williams to win the US Open final in 2019, Andreescu has endured a horrible run of injuries.

She spent 15 months on the sidelines with a knee injury before finally returning to the court at the Australian Open in February.

She fell in straight sets in the second round to Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei, but seemed to be finding the form that saw her win her maiden grand slam title.

She also sat out Canada's Billie Jean King Cup playoff tie against Serbia in April, but had hoped to be ready for the clay-court swing leading up to the French Open.

Fans were left gutted over Andreescu's latest setback.

Ash Barty's double triumph on birthday weekend

Meanwhile, Barty has celebrated her birthday weekend by winning two titles - and a brand new sports car - at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart after a third consecutive comeback triumph in the singles final against Aryna Sabalenka.

To complete another landmark week, the Australian, who turned 25 on Saturday, then won the doubles title on a busy, fun - and lucrative - Sunday with her American partner Jennifer Brady.

After her singles win, Barty was presented with her 68,570 Euros ($A107,074) winner's cheque and a brand new Porsche, which seemed perfectly appropriate for someone who had accelerated away majestically after an early test from Sabalenka.

Barty had just over an hour's rest before joining forces with her friend, Australia Open finalist Brady, to beat the top-seeded US pairing Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Desirae Krawczyk 6-4 5-7 [10-5].

Still fresh after three-and-a-half hours on court all told, Barty celebrated becoming the first reigning world No.1 since Justine Henin in 2007 to win in Stuttgart and the first since American Lindsay Davenport 20 years earlier to win both finals at the same tournament there.

"It's extremely humbling to be even mentioned in the same sentence as both Justine and Lindsay, they're both legends of the game," she said.

with agencies

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