Venus Williams, a tennis legend with seven grand slam singles titles, has been handed a wild card to participate in the upcoming BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. The tournament, scheduled from March 2 to 16, marks Williams’ 10th appearance at the prestigious event. Her return to Indian Wells comes after several seasons marred by injuries that saw her world ranking plunge to 974th. Williams last played at the Miami Open in March 2024, where she was eliminated in the first round.
Williams first graced the courts of Indian Wells in 1994 and has since reached the semifinals on three occasions. However, she boycotted the tournament from 2002 to 2016 following an incident in 2001 when her sister Serena was booed during the finals, and the Williams family faced racist abuse from the crowd. Despite these past challenges, Venus Williams' career remains illustrious, with accomplishments that include 14 doubles grand slam titles, two mixed-doubles grand slam titles, and four Olympic gold medals, one in singles and three in doubles.
The decision to grant her a wild card is a nod to her enduring legacy in the sport. Despite her recent struggles to stay on tour due to injuries and having not won a match since August 2023, Williams remains a formidable player whose presence will undoubtedly add excitement to the tournament. This opportunity at Indian Wells represents a chance for her to regain momentum and showcase her talents on a grand stage once more.
In addition to Williams, Petra Kvitová, a two-time grand slam champion, has also received a wild card entry for the women's draw. Kvitová's inclusion further enhances the competitive field at this year's BNP Paribas Open.
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