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Australian Tyler Wright and 11-time world champion Kelly Slater are among the surfing big names to miss the El Salvador Pro.
Tyler Wright's hopes of qualifying for the season-ending World Surf League finals have suffered a huge blow after she was ruled out of the El Salvador Pro due to complications from COVID-19.
Wright was hit with the virus during G-Land in Indonesia late last month, and she is yet to fully recover.
The two-time world champion has been hit heavily by health problems in the past, left bed-ridden for months after contracting influenza A before a WSL event in South Africa in July, 2018.
Wright worked hard to regain her health in recent years and is currently sitting in fourth spot on the world rankings.
Only the top-five surfers will qualify for the season-ending finals in California, where the title will be decided.
Four events remain before the top five are locked in.
"After complications from COVID I am going to sit out of the El Salvador event to rest and recover at home," Wright posted on Instagram.
"Thankful for all those that have helped and supported."
Wright has been replaced in the event by fellow Australian Sally Fitzgibbons, who missed the mid-season cut but has been awarded a second-straight wildcard entry.
Kelly Slater's bid to win a 12th world title were also dealt a blow as he pulled out of the El Salvador Pro with an unspecified injury.
Slater rocketed into title contention after winning the season-opening event at Pipeline.
A string of early exits caused him to slide to 15th spot in the rankings, but he was still within striking distance of the top five.
Two-time world champion John John Florence is also out after tearing his MCL at G-Land.
Florence has a history of knee problems, and it remains to be seen when the world No.3 will be fit to return.
Australian Jack Robinson has rocketed to No.2 in the world on the back of consecutive wins at the Margaret River Pro and G-Land.
Countryman Ethan Ewing is in fifth spot and also in the thick of the title hunt.
The El Salvador Pro, which begins on Monday, is the first Championship Tour event to be held in that country.
Competition will take place at the famed right-hand pointbreak widely known as Punta Roca, also referred to as La Punta or Punta Chilama.
Australian Stephanie Gilmore currently sits seventh in the women's standings and is desperate for a big result.
Hawaiian Carissa Moore sits atop of the world rankings.
"So far I've had a great experience here in El Salvador," Moore said.
"I am settling in and trying to figure everything out. I've had two sessions out at Punta Roca.
"The wave is really fun and I am excited to see it with a little more swell on it."
