Tuesday 25 June 2019 13:52, UK
New world No 1 Ashleigh Barty has withdrawn from Eastbourne with an arm injury.
The 23-year-old, who is the provisional No 1 seed at Wimbledon, is missing the tournament on the south coast as a precaution and is expected to be fit for the third major of the year.
Earlier on Monday, Barty became the first Australian women's No 1 since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1976.
"Eastbourne is a very special place for me," she said. "I played my first singles tournament back here in 2016.
"I'm sorry not to play here this week; hopefully I can be back to compete next year."
Barty won the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham with a 6-3 7-5 victory over Julia Gorges on Sunday following her French Open success.
"It's an injury we've had to manage since I was 16 years old," added Barty.
"When I have a spike in load it comes up - it's a bone stress injury and I need to look after it, particularly in these first few days.
"We know how to manage it but it's important to get on top of it straight away."
Barty's first Grand Slam success has helped her replace Japan's Naomi Osaka in the rankings.
She is currently on a 12-match winning streak.
