2019 finalist Angelique Kerber withdraws from BNP Paribas Open due to injury

A second tennis star has withdrawn from this year's BNP Paribas Open.

Tournament officials announced former world No. 1 Angelique Kerber has withdrawn from the tournament. Kerber will be replaced in the main draw by Chicago-Native Taylor Townsend.

Kerber confirmed on her Instagram page she suffered a left leg injury that may also keep her out of the Miami Open later this month.

Last year, Kerber made it all the way to the finals of the BNP, losing to Canadian Bianca Andreescu.

Check out our BNP Paribas Open Section for full coverage of this year's tournament

Kerber last played at the Australian Open in Jan., losing the 4th round.

Kerber is the second participant to withdraw this week. On Wednesday, officials announced two-time Champion Victoria Azarenka is out. Azarenka will be replaced by 2009 champion Vera Zvonareva.

READ: Victoria Azarenka withdraws from 2020 BNP Paribas Open

Officials have not listed a reason as to why Azarenka withdrew from the tournament. Azarenka played earlier this week at the Monterey Open, but that was her first tournament since the 2019 U.S. Open in September.

She withdrew from the Australian Open in Jan. due to "personal reasons."

Earlier today, BNP officials also released a statement addressing coronavirus concerns. Officials say there are no plans to cancel the tournament, however, they are increasing safety precautions and issuing refunds to anyone who wishes to do so.

Read: BNP Paribas Open issues statement about coronavirus concerns at tournament

The 2020 BNP Paribas Open goes from March 9 to March 22, 2020 at the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens in Indian Wells.

News Channel 3's Blake Arthur and Taylor Begley will have all the updates on this year's tournament.