Venus Williams turns down wildcard for Indian Wells

The 44-year-old said she found about the wildcard at the same time as everyone else but will not be available

Zuma / Panoramic

February 24, 2025

Venus Williams will not, after all, be returning to the WTA Tour to play in Indian Wells next week.

The 44-year-old had seemed set to play her first event since Miami last year after the BNP Paribas Open said she had accepted a wildcard into the event.

However, it seems there was a miscommunication somewhere along the way. Speaking at an event in Denmark, quoted by the TennisWeekly podcast, Williams said: “I’m not playing – I’m going to be overseas. I’m not going to be there.

“I just had a player text me today too, like “can you play doubles?”,” she said. “I’m not playing. I found out about the wildcard when you guys did. Just saying. And I love Indian Wells, I would love to be there and if I could have accepted it, I would have been like, yes. But I already made commitments.”

And in a rather sheepish release on Monday, Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas confirmed the news, adding that he hopes she will play in the future.

A Message From Tournament Director Tommy Haas:

“Our team has been informed that Venus is not accepting the wild card this year. We wish Venus all the best and hope to see her back in Indian Wells in the future.”
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) February 24, 2025

Seven-time major winner Williams played just two matches last year and has dropped in the rankings to No 974, leaving her requiring wildcards to enter any event.

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