Venus Williams will return to compete in Indian Wells after receiving a special invitation to the BNP Paribas Open, to be held from March 2 to 16. It will be the American’s first tennis tournament in almost a year, after her last appearance on the circuit at the Miami tournament on March 19, 2024.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion has had no professional activity since then, and her return to Indian Wells will mark a milestone. Williams, 44, made her debut at this tournament in 1994 and, over the years, has won five Wimbledon and two US Open titles (singles, plus 14 Grand Slam doubles titles with her sister Serena).

COMPLEX HISTORY WITH INDIAN WELLS

Venus and Serena Williams’ relationship with Indian Wells has been complex. Both boycotted the tournament for several years after some fans hurled racial slurs at them during the 2001 final. Serena returned in 2015, and Venus followed suit the next year, ending a long-standing estrangement with the Californian event.

Venus is currently ranked 974th in the world after her long hiatus. Her last singles title was won at the Taiwan Open in February 2016.

OTHER INVITATIONS

In addition to Venus Williams, the tournament announced other special invitations. Czech Petra Kvitova, two-time Wimbledon champion, will return to the competition after a 15-month break due to the birth of her first child. Also receiving wildcards will be young talents João Fonseca, 18, who recently won his first ATP title at the Argentina Open, and Learner Tien, 19, who reached the fourth round of the Australian Open in January.