Venus Williams Returns to Indian Wells with Wild Card Entry

Venus Williams, the seven-time Grand Slam champion, has been awarded a wild card entry for both singles and doubles at the BNP Paribas Open, scheduled to take place from March 4-15, 2026, in Indian Wells, California. This marks her first appearance at the prestigious tournament since 2024, when she participated as a wild card but lost in the first round. Tournament director Tommy Haas expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “It’s an honor to award the first wild card of this year’s event to Venus Williams. Venus is a legend of the game, and one of the most accomplished players our sport has ever seen.”

ESPNDesert SunVenus Williams awarded Indian Wells main draw wild card for singles and doublesReuters

Williams, 45, has a storied history with the Indian Wells tournament. She first competed there in 1998 and has reached the semifinals three times, most recently in 2018. However, her relationship with the event has been complicated; she boycotted it from 2001 to 2016 following a controversial incident where she withdrew from a semifinal match against her sister, Serena Williams. The sisters faced significant backlash from the crowd, which led to their long absence from the tournament.

New York Times

In the lead-up to her return to Indian Wells, Williams has been active on the WTA Tour. She recently competed in the Australian Open and reached the quarterfinals in doubles at the U.S. Open with Canadian partner Leylah Fernandez. Williams has received wild cards into six tournaments since her return to the tour, including two Grand Slam events.

Reuters

In her statement regarding the wild card entry, Williams expressed her excitement: “I’m so excited to be heading back to Indian Wells and can’t wait to return home to play in California. This tournament is always such a special experience, and there’s nothing like competing in front of these incredible fans.” Haas reiterated the significance of her participation, emphasizing the joy it brings to fans.

Venus Williams awarded Indian Wells main draw wild card for singles and doubles

While there has been widespread support for Williams' return, some critics have pointed out the challenges of her recent performances, noting that she has not won a singles match since July 2024. This raises questions about her competitive readiness as she prepares to participate in both singles and doubles at Indian Wells.

Desert Sun

As Williams gears up for the BNP Paribas Open, she is also scheduled to compete in the ATX Open, a WTA 250 event in Austin, Texas, prior to her appearance in Indian Wells. Her participation in these events will be closely watched as she aims to regain her competitive edge.

Desert Sun

• “It's great to be heading back to Indian Wells and returning home to California,” — Venus Williams, Tennis Champion

Reuters

• “There’s nothing like competing in front of these incredible fans.” — Venus Williams, Tennis Champion

Reuters

• “It's an honor to award the first wild card of this year's event to Venus Williams,” — Tommy Haas, Tournament Director

ESPN