sports

Venus Williams Returns to Indian Wells

45-year-old Venus Williams has accepted a wildcard to play at Indian Wells, marking her return to the tournament she once boycotted.

Venus Williams, 45, will compete in both singles and doubles at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells after accepting a wildcard. She joins the 2026 Sunshine Double lineup, set to begin March 1, and will reunite with doubles partner Leylah Fernandez.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion returns to the California desert following a successful US Open run. After boycotting the tournament in 2001 due to a hostile crowd, she last played Indian Wells in 2016 and is now enjoying a career renaissance.