![Angelique Kerber By robbiesaurus from Smithtown, NY (GER) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/6/15/660x290/b_502x220x82/angelique-kerber-by-robbiesaurus-from-smithtown-ny-ger-cc-by-sa-20-httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-sa20-via-wikimedia-commons_1388395.jpg "Angelique Kerber By robbiesaurus from Smithtown, NY (GER) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons")
The moment Serena Williams stepped off the stage due to her pregnancy, the heat started to mount at the top of WTA circuit. Following 2017 french open conclusions, the situation at the top is quite exciting as three players are gonna fight for the no. 1 seat over the next few week. As the facts stand, there is no sure bet on this matter as the grass season is an open battle having Angelique Kerber, Simona Halep and Karolina Pliskova contending the highest slot of women's tennis. Angelique Kerber is the current holder of the world no. 1 spot and there is a good news for her.
Both Halep and Pliskova won't be in the draw in Birmingham which means that the German will be the highest seed at Wimbledon.
Simona Halep and Karolina Pliskova made an extended run at the French Open
Although a warm-up event prior to Wimbledon should be a must for a top player, sometimes the circumstances are different and some adjustments must be made. Halep made it into the final of Roland Garros where losing in a dramatic fashion against the new sensation Jelena Ostapenko. Moreover, the Romanian's schedule on clay included 4 tournaments having her reaching the final of the last three of them. After having and extended race and an issue with her ankle, it seems like a smart decision to withdraw from the upcoming event.
It may thin her chances at Wimbledon but her schedule is quite busy for the second part of the season with so much to defend. Instead of risking an injury during the transition from clay to grass, Halep chose to take a step aside.
On the other side, Karolina Pliskova has been complaining about an elbow injury for weeks. The no.
1 Czech made an improbable run on the clay court in Paris reaching the semis where she lost a tight battle against Halep. Missing her chance to clinch the world no. 1 spot in Paris, she must work on her future schedule as she will enter some high-profile events where she did great last year.
Angelique Kerber remains the world no. 1
With no one to worry about next, Kerber will hold the highest spot entering Wimbledon. She has been struggling over the past few months, but the transition to grass could bring her mojo back. Next week, she will be in the main draw at Birmingham where she'll have the chance to put things in order. Her biggest test will come at Wimbledon in about two weeks where she must defend the runner-up status of last year. An early exit there could dilute her ranking status down to no. 3.
