By Chris Oddo | Tuesday March 7, 2017
Serena Williams announced her retirement from this year's BNP Paribas Open due to a lingering knee issue.
Photo Source: Christopher Levy
Serena Williams has pulled out of this year’s BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, citing a knee injury. Williams has not played since January, when she defeated her sister Venus for her 23rd major title at the Australian Open.
She also announced that she will skip this year's Miami Open later this month.
“I have not been able to train due to my knees and am disappointed I cannot be there,” said Williams in a statement. “I will keep moving forward and continue to be positive. I look forward to being back as soon as I can."
Williams withdrawal means that Angelique Kerber will climb back into the top spot as the WTA’s No.1 at the end of the Indian Wells fortnight. Kerber took the top spot at the end of last year's U.S. Open, held it for 20 weeks but lost it to Williams after the Australian Open.
Williams will see 650 points drop off her ranking at Indian Wells and another 120 from Miami, while Kerber could gain 1600 points if she wins both events (she earned 10 at Indian Wells last year and 390 at Miami). If she wins the title at Indian Wells, Kerber would expand her lead over Williams to over 1,250 points.
Two-time Indian Wells champion Williams was a runner-up last year after losing in the final to Victoria Azarenka.