Serena Williams Withdraws from Indian Wells

Not all too shocking, Serena Williams withdrew from the 2017 BNP Paribas Open as well as Miami. The current #1 cited a knee injury has prevented her from having any practice and without practice, she can’t compete.

Williams said in a statement on March 7th, “Sadly, I have to withdraw from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Miami Open, I have not been able to train due to my knees and am disappointed I cannot be there. I will keep moving forward and continue to be positive. I look forward to being back as soon as I can.”

I can’t say that I’m not surprised since we rarely see Serena Williams play outside of major events, even the “premiere mandatory” events for the WTA Indian Wells, Key Biscayne, Madrid, and Beijing. Surely she’ll recover in time for the French Open come May.

Angelique Kerber Back To #1 In The World

With Serena Williams withdrawing from the 2017 BNP Paribas Open Angelique Kerber, currently ranked #2, will regain her #1 spot atop the rankings…regardless of how well she performs. Because of Williams’ withdraw, the points that Serena loses will be enough for Kerbers’ current points to surpass her in the rankings. Because Serena Williams was a finalist at the 2016 BNP Paribas Open, she will lose 650 ranking points, putting her 6,755 points. Kerber currently 7,405. So new #1 at the end of the tournament.

If Angelique does better than her second round exit in 2016, she will widen the points gap and has better chances to maintain her #1 ranking throughout the rest of the 2017 tennis season.

Serena Williams set an all time major title record earlier in 2017 with a historic win over her sister, Venus Williams, at the Australian Open.

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G.O.A.T

Based in sunny Southern California, raised in Argentina & USA; lover of all things tennis, USRSA Master Racquet Technician (MRT), ATP/WTA Pro Level Stringer; reviewer of tennis strings, tennis racquets, and any interesting tennis gadgets I come across. Plays NTRP 4.5 singles and some doubles. Singled handed backhand with a wicked affection for cured meats and Asado.