By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennisnow | Sunday, February 23, 2025
Photo Credit: Matthew Calvis
BNP Paribas Open Awarding Venus Williams A wild card excited the world of tennis and entertained Venus himself.
That’s because former world no. 1 says she is not playing Indian Wells next month.
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The 44-year-old Venus, who has been in Europe lately for fashion events and promotional appearances, was asked today if she was playing Indian Wells.
Williams told a crowd in Denmark on “An evening with Venus Williams” she does not plan to play Indian Wells.
Wimbledon’s five-time winner said she will be overseas when BNP Paribas Open, set for March 2-16 at the Indian Wells Tenis Garden, is contested.
“No, I’m not playing,” Williams said. “Indeed, I found the super fun announcement because, I don’t know, people seem to be happy, so I was like,” Maybe I’ll just go with it, I don’t know. “I’m really not going.
“I will be overseas. I will not be (there) … I just had a player with text today, like,” Can you play doubles? “(But) I’m not playing. Just saying.
“And I love Indian wells. I would love to be there and if I could accept it, I would be like, ‘yes’. But I already made commitments.”
Exclusive: Speaking in Denmark Venus Williams confirms that the story that came out last week that she had accepted a wild card to play singles in Indian Wells is “not true”. She is overseas and won’t play. Pic.twitter.com/z0cnqxujcw
– Tennis weekly podcast (@tennisweeklypod) February 23 2025
The owner of 49 career titles, Venus Williams played Indian wells of 2024 leaning in qualification No hibino 6-2, 3-6, 0-6. In her last match at the tournament level, Williams lost to world no. 62 Diana Janet3-6, 3-6, in Miami Open.
Since tonight, Sunday, February 23, the official BNP Paribas Open website still has Venus Williams listed as a wild card in her 2025 Player entry list page.
