Serena withdraws from Indian Wells, Miami with injury

Serena Williams of the USA reacts after defeating Vania King of USA (not pictured) on day four of the 2016 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

(Reuters) - Serena Williams has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Miami Open due to a left knee injury and as a result will relinquish the world number one tennis ranking to German Angelique Kerber.

Williams, a two-times champion at the showpiece event at the California desert resort, had returned to the women's top ranking in January after claiming a record 23rd grand slam singles title in the professional era at the Australian Open.