Why did Serena Williams and Venus Williams boycott Indian Wells for over a decade? Inside the 2001 controversy | International Sports News
Serena Williams and Venus Williams stayed away from Indian Wells for more than a decade after a painful moment in 2001. The incident happened at the BNP Paribas Open in California, one of the biggest WTA 1000 events in tennis. What began as a last-minute injury withdrawal soon turned into one of the most talked about controversies in the sport. In March 2001, Venus Williams pulled out of her semifinal match against Serena Williams just minutes before they were set to play. Venus Williams had a knee injury. But many fans in the crowd did not believe it. There were rumors at the time that their father, Richard Williams, was deciding match results between his daughters. Those rumors made the situation worse.When Serena Williams later walked onto the court for the final against Kim Clijsters, the crowd booed loudly. The jeers continued throughout the match, even as Serena Williams won the title. Richard Williams later said he heard racist comments directed at him and his daughters. The night left a deep scar on the family.Serena Williams later shared how much it hurt her. She told Will Smith on “Red Table Talk,” as reported by ESPN, “It was so hard… I’ll never forget driving back, and [sister] Yetunde was there, and I remember just getting in the car and I was just bawling. I was at the gas station, there was no celebration, and I was just crying and crying and crying.” Soon after, both sisters decided they would not return to Indian Wells.
Serena Williams and Venus Williams Indian Wells boycott and return
Serena Williams did not play at Indian Wells again for 14 years. She finally returned in 2015. In a column for Time.com, she wrote, “I play for the love of the game. And it is with that love in mind, and a new understanding of the true meaning of forgiveness, that I will proudly return to Indian Wells in 2015.”Venus Williams followed her sister back in 2016, ending her 15 year absence.Before the boycott, Serena Williams had already won the Indian Wells title twice. She first lifted the trophy in 1999, beating Steffi Graf 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 in the final. She won again in 2001. After her return, her best result came in 2016, when she finished runner up to Victoria Azarenka. Serena Williams ended her career with a 26-4 record at the tournament.Venus Williams never won the Indian Wells title. She reached the semifinals twice before 2001 and again in 2018. She holds a 21-8 record at the event.What happened in 2001 remains one of tennis’ biggest controversies. It changed how many people saw the tournament. But years later, forgiveness brought the Williams sisters back to the same court where it once hurt the most.
