New Delhi: Formed World No. 1 Venus Williams won’t compete at the Indian Wells tournament, days after her name was announced by the tournament organisers as a wild-card entrant for the event that runs from March 2-16.
The 44-year-old hasn’t competed on the WTA tour since losing in the first round of the Miami Open in March 2024, which was two weeks after going down in the opening match at Indian Wells.
The American was invited to play but she has chosen not to take it up, which was confirmed by organisers several years after an audio surfaced on social media of Williams saying she won’t be playing in the tournament next month.
“I’m not playing – I’m going to be overseas. I’m not going to be here,” Williams, who has slumped to 974th in WTA rankings, told TennisWeekly podcast.
The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion was supposed to make her 10th appearance in the tournament.
“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,” Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas wrote on social media.
Sabalenka, Swiatek headline Miami field
Meanwhile, Miami Open announced their initial player field, with all top 70 women players making themselves available for the tournament held in South Florida.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, No. 2 Iga Swiatek, No. 3 Coco Gauff and defending champion Danielle Collins headline the field on the outdoor hard courts.
The WTA 1000 event begins on March 18, with the singles final scheduled to be held on March 29. Australian Open champion Madison Keys will grab the eyeballs after rising to No.6 in the rankings.
Apart from the top three seeds and Keys, several Grand Slam champions will be in action including Elena Rybakina, Barbora Krejcikova, Naomi Osaka, Emma Raducanu, Sofia Kenin, Jelena Ostapenko, Marketa Vondrousova and Victoria Azarenka.
Venus Williams hasn’t competed on the WTA tour since losing in the first round of the Miami Open in March 2024. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
