The legendary tennis player Venus Williams has declined a wild-card invitation to the upcoming BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Williams revealed she was unaware of the invitation until it went public.
The BNP Paribas Open account on X reported that tournament director Tommy Haas said, “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.”
The BNP Paribas Open is the largest two-week combined event outside the four Grand Slams. It is held in Indian Wells, California, and played on outdoor hard courts at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The 2025 Indian Wells Open will occur from Sunday, March 2, to Sunday, March 16.
The former No. 1 player in 2002 has dropped to No. 974 globally. Williams has not competed in a WTA Tour-level match since March 2024 at the Miami Open. Her last Grand Slam title was in 2008, when her sister, Serena Williams, was the runner-up.
Williams has faced multiple injury setbacks in 2024, limiting her appearances on the WTA Tour. Yet, she remains one of the most celebrated figures in tennis, known for her longevity and impact on the sport.
Williams has won 49 WTA Tour-level singles titles, including seven majors, an Olympic gold medal, and 22 doubles titles, and is regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Despite not competing since 2023, she still isn’t officially retired.
Venus Williams and her younger sister, Serena Williams, were coached by their parents, Oracene Price and Richard Williams, who helped them both become major stars. Not only did their talent take them far, but the sisters were the first black women to reach number one in the world since Althea Gibson in the 1950s.
Just because she declined Indian Wells doesn’t mean Williams’ ambition or talent is fading. In fact, this goes to show that athletes are humans, too, who face complications like the rest of us. Besides, Williams is already a star in her sport. She could stop competing right now and still keep her mark in history.
