By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Sunday, February 23, 2025
Photo credit: Matthew Calvis
The recent announcement of Venus Williams receiving a wild card for the BNP Paribas Open sparked excitement in the tennis community, though it left Venus herself chuckling.
You see, the former world No. 1 has no intentions of playing at Indian Wells next month.
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At 44, Venus has recently been busy in Europe attending various fashion events and making promotional appearances. When asked today if Indian Wells would be on her schedule, she clarified her plans at “An Evening with Venus Williams” in Denmark. She assured the audience she has no intention of participating in the event.
The five-time Wimbledon champ mentioned she will be elsewhere when the BNP Paribas Open takes place from March 2-16 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
“No, I’m not playing,” she said, amused by the announcement. “I found it funny because everyone seemed so excited, I thought, ‘Maybe I’ll just go with it.’ But, no, I’m not going.”
She added, “I’ll be overseas. I’m not going to be there. A player texted me today asking if I could play doubles, but I’m not playing. I heard about the wild card just like everyone else. Just saying.”
Venus expressed her affection for Indian Wells, noting that she would have loved to attend if prior commitments hadn’t already been made.
EXCLUSIVE: Venus Williams speaking in Denmark confirms that the story that came out last week that she had accepted a wild card to play singles at Indian Wells is “not true.” She is overseas and will not be playing. pic.twitter.com/z0cNQxujcW
— Tennis Weekly Podcast (@tennisweeklypod) February 23, 2025
Holding 49 career titles, Venus competed at Indian Wells in 2024, losing to qualifier Nao Hibino with scores of 6-2, 3-6, 0-6. In her most recent tour-level match, she faced a defeat against world No. 62 Diana Shnaider, 3-6, 3-6, at the Miami Open.
As of this evening, February 23rd, the official BNP Paribas Open website still lists Venus Williams as a wild card participant on its 2025 player entry list.
