TENNIS icon Venus Williams will NOT play at Indian Wells this year - despite being announced as a wildcard. Last week, tournament directors announced that Williams would be returning to California for the event after being granted a pass into the main draw.
![[Venus Williams playing tennis at the BNP Paribas Open.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2024-bnp-paribas-open-played-973375229_880f93.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
However, the former world No1 publicly rejected the offer on Sunday, claiming she had no idea that she had even been given a wildcard until it was publicly revealed. Williams explained: "No, I'm not playing. Actually, I found the announcement super amusing 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 actually not going. I'm going to be overseas. I'm not going to be [there]. ... I just had a player text me today too, like, 'Can you play doubles?'. "I'm not playing. I found out about the wildcard when you guys did.
"Just saying. And I love Indian Wells, I would love to be there and if I could have accepted it, I would have been like, yes. But I already made commitments.". Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas has now backtracked on the initial announcement, confirming that Williams is not due to play.
He said: "Our team has been informed that Venus is not accepting the wildcard this year. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS. "We wish Venus all the best and hope to see her back in Indian Wells in the future.". Williams has not played since losing to Diana Shnaider in round one of the Miami Open last March.
