Who will step up in Serena's absence?

Serena Williams made headlines when her pregnancy was announced, and her absence for the duration of 2017 will leave a void at the top of the WTA rankings. It’s a huge opportunity for her nearest competitors, but who's got the greatest shot at stepping up?

1

Although Kerber held the top spot for 25 weeks and could regain it with two victories in Stuttgart, she has not played like the same player who won the 2016 Australian and US Open. The good news is she has the opportunity to bolster her ranking with a strong run at the French Open where she lost in the first round last year.

The challenge will be matching her points at Wimbledon (where she reached the final) and the US Open. If she doesn’t turn back the clock to 2016, she will likely be looking up at a few other WTA stars.

2

The 25-year-old Czech is ready to cash in on her 2016 late summer rise. She can add massive points to her ranking by winning matches on clay, and she will probably be the favorite to win Wimbledon behind her tremendous serve and flat strokes. Pliskova’s confidence in big matches will be the defining test to see if she reaches No. 1.

3

Konta’s Miami title last month might be the start of a Kerber-like rise to the top. For sure, the hard-working British No. 1 wants this challenge. Two days after Williams’ announcement, she spoke of her desire to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

4

Few players dig in harder than the 25-year-old Romanian. Three years ago she nearly defeated Maria Sharapova in the French Open final, and she’s going to need to replicate that type of result, or better, to set up a great summer. She has the abilities, but she'll need to do away with inexplicable losses to unheralded players.

5

Since her French Open title last year, the Spaniard has struggled to put forth her best form. She needs another monster effort at Roland Garros just to set up a chance for reaching a higher ranking. If she loses early at Paris, she could go the opposite way and drop out of the Top 10.

The 23-year-old has all the tools to dominate on the WTA tour, but her performances are sometimes baffling.

Former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka is looking to return from maternity leave at Stanford, but only time will tell if she can ever return to her Grand-Slam winning ways.

Five-time major winner Maria Sharapova is looking to rebuild her ranking with her return this week in Stuttgart following a 15-month ban. There's no doubting her desire to return to the top, but she also just celebrated her 30th birthday, and is unranked.

Petra Kvitova is a two-time Wimbledon champion, but she has not played an attack in her home in December. Her left (dominant) hand was severely injured, but she's hinted at a return as soon as the French Open.

Williams herself said she isn't done yet, and will be making a comeback, with her baby in tow.

"I definitely plan on coming back. I'm not done yet," Williams said during her TED Talk on Tuesday. "If [Venus is] still playing, I know I can play. [Motherhood] is just a new part of my life. My baby's going to be in the stands and hopefully cheering for me."