Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion and one of the most decorated athletes in tennis history, is set to make her highly anticipated return to competition at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
The 44-year-old has been granted a wild card for the prestigious tournament, marking her first WTA Tour appearance since March 2024.
Williams last competed at the Miami Open, where she suffered an opening-round defeat to Diana Shnaider. Her participation in Indian Wells last year also ended in a first-round loss, with both events standing as her only appearances that season. Now, after nearly a year away from competitive tennis, Williams is poised to rejoin the field at one of the sport’s most significant non-Grand Slam events.
Often referred to as the ‘fifth Slam,’ Indian Wells will feature a stellar lineup of players across both the men’s and women’s draws.
Among the men’s competitors are reigning Olympic gold medalist Novak Djokovic and Paris 2024 finalist Carlos Alcaraz. On the women’s side, top contenders include Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff, and Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen. Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, who recently became a mother, will also make her return to professional tennis at the tournament.
Venus Williams’ Legacy Continues
Currently ranked 974th in the world, Williams’ Indian Wells appearance will come 31 years after she made her professional debut in Oakland in 1994. The American tennis legend captured her first Grand Slam singles titles in 2000, triumphing at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
That year proved historic for Williams, as she also secured Olympic singles gold at the Sydney 2000 Games while winning the doubles title alongside her sister, Serena Williams.
Throughout her career, Venus amassed a total of seven Grand Slam singles titles—five at Wimbledon and two at the U.S. Open—while also claiming 16 major doubles titles.
The Williams sisters dominated Olympic competition as well, winning gold medals in doubles at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Games.
Venus added to her Olympic legacy in 2016, capturing a silver medal in mixed doubles with partner Rajeev Ram in Rio de Janeiro. With five Olympic medals, Williams stands as the most decorated tennis player in Olympic history.
As she prepares for yet another chapter in her illustrious career, Williams’ return to Indian Wells is sure to be one of the most highly anticipated moments of the tournament.
