Venus Williams turns down Indian Wells wildcard offer
Former world number one Winus Williams rejected the wildcard for next month’s Indian Wells Championship.
The 44-year-old was invited last week but the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion was not accepted, organizers said.
“Our team was told that Venus would not accept wildcards this year,” the event on X attributed to a statement by tournament director Tommy Haas.
“We hope Venus will go well and hope to see her in the Indian well in the future.”
Williams fell to 974th in the world and has not played in the WTA Tour since losing the first round of the Miami Open last March.
She told the Tennis Podcast earlier that she would not return at the Indian Wells Championships, which will take place from March 2 to 16.
“I’m not playing – I’m going overseas. I won’t be here,” she said.
