Venus Williams to Play Indian Wells with Wildcard | WTA News
- Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, will continue her competitive career on the WTA tour, accepting a wildcard entry into the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells,...
- The 45-year-old Williams, currently ranked 974th in the world, last competed at the Australian Open earlier this year, becoming the oldest participant in the tournament.
- Tournament director Tommy Haas expressed his enthusiasm about extending a wildcard to Williams, calling it “an honor” to invite the American icon back to Tennis Paradise.
Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, will continue her competitive career on the WTA tour, accepting a wildcard entry into the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. The tournament, boasting a prize pool exceeding $9.4 million, is scheduled to run from to .
The 45-year-old Williams, currently ranked 974th in the world, last competed at the Australian Open earlier this year, becoming the oldest participant in the tournament. While her run in Melbourne was cut short in the first round, the opportunity to compete at Indian Wells holds particular significance for the Southern California native.
Tournament director Tommy Haas expressed his enthusiasm about extending a wildcard to Williams, calling it “an honor” to invite the American icon back to Tennis Paradise. This will be Williams’ tenth appearance at Indian Wells, a tournament where she has reached the semifinals on three previous occasions.
Williams’ participation comes after a period of limited competitive play, impacted by injuries. She hasn’t secured a match win on tour since August 2023, and hadn’t played a WTA Tour-level match in nearly a year before the Australian Open. Her most recent appearance at Indian Wells was in 2024, where she lost in the first round to Nao Hibino of Japan.
The decision to award Williams a wildcard is notable given her history with the tournament. Between 2002 and 2016, Williams boycotted Indian Wells following a controversial incident in the 2001 final, where her sister Serena was booed by the crowd and the family alleged they were subjected to racist abuse. Her return in recent years signals a reconciliation with the event and its fanbase.
Beyond her singles entry, Williams will also compete in the doubles draw, partnering with Canada’s Leylah Fernandez. This marks her first doubles appearance at Indian Wells since reaching the semifinals with her sister Serena in 2000. The pairing builds on a promising run the two enjoyed at the 2025 US Open, where they reached the quarterfinal stage.
Williams’ illustrious career includes seven Grand Slam singles titles, 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, and two Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. She also claimed a singles gold medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, along with three gold medals in doubles across the 2000, 2008, and 2012 Olympics. Her longevity and sustained success have cemented her status as a tennis legend.
The BNP Paribas Open will also welcome Petra Kvitová back to competition after a 15-month absence following the birth of her first child. Kvitová, a two-time Grand Slam champion, has also been granted a wildcard entry into the women’s draw.
While Williams is no longer the dominant force she once was, her presence at Indian Wells adds a compelling narrative to the tournament. Her return to the court, coupled with her doubles partnership with Fernandez, will undoubtedly draw significant attention from fans and media alike. The wildcard entry provides Williams with a platform to showcase her enduring passion for the game and potentially add another chapter to her remarkable career.
The tournament represents more than just a competitive opportunity for Williams. it’s a return to her roots in Southern California and a chance to connect with a devoted fanbase. As she stated in a release from the tournament, she is “so excited to be heading back to Indian Wells and can’t wait to return home to play in California.”