Kerber: Indian Wells more important than number one
Serena Williams' injury is set to hand the world number one spot to the double slam-winner, who is more focused on winning the BNP Paribas Open.
Angelique Kerber said succeeding Serena Williams as world number one for a second time is not her top priority as she starts her bid to win the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.
Kerber will go back to the top of the rankings regardless of how she performs in California, with Williams having pulled out of the tournament because of a left knee injury.
But US Open champion Kerber is not focused on her place at the summit of women's tennis and is concentrating on trying to win at Indian Wells for the first time, having reached the semi-finals in 2012 and 2013.
Kerber: "World number one not a priority"
"Of course it's a nice feeling but this is not a priority for me," Kerber told the WTA Tour.
"For me, in my mind, coming here, really going out, winning matches, winning tournaments, this is what I'm focusing [on] and what I'm working for the last few weeks."
Having received a bye in the first round, Kerber takes on German compatriot Andrea Petkovic in the second round at Indian Wells on Saturday.