Venus Williams awarded main draw wildcards for singles and doubles at Indian Wells

On Friday local time, the WTA1000 Indian Wells tournament officially announced that Venus Williams will receive wildcards for both singles and doubles main draws in the 2026 event, marking the American legend’s return to the tournament since 2024.

“I’m super excited to come back to Indian Wells and can’t wait to compete again on home soil in California,” Venus Williams said in a statement. “This event always offers a unique experience, and there’s nothing better than playing in front of such passionate fans.”

Venus Williams

At 45 years old, Venus will make her return to this WTA 1000 event after last competing in 2024. Last year, the tournament mistakenly reported her participation, which she later denied on social media. This time, she has personally confirmed her comeback via her social channels.

Venus Williams has reached the Indian Wells semifinals three times, most recently in 2018. Between 2002 and 2016, she and her sister Serena boycotted the tournament due to an incident in 2001 when Venus withdrew before their semifinal match, after which she and her father-coach Richard Williams were booed and faced racial abuse from the crowd.

Tournament director Tommy Haas said, “It is an honor to award the first wildcard of this year’s event to Venus Williams. Venus is a tennis legend and one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.”

Venus’s career achievements are outstanding: she holds 7 Grand Slam singles titles, 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, a total of 49 WTA titles, and 4 Olympic gold medals (1 singles, 3 doubles). Besides singles, she will partner with Canadian player Fernandez in doubles; the duo reached the women’s doubles quarterfinals at last year’s US Open.

This season, Venus competed fully in Australia but did not secure a win, exiting in the first rounds at Auckland, Hobart, and the Australian Open, finishing with a 0-3 record. Next week, she will also enter the WTA250 Austin event with a wildcard, partnering in doubles with fellow American Sloane Stephens.

(Text and editing: Dato, Photo: Visual China)