Venus Williams has rejected the chance to play at Indian Wells
The development comes after it was announced she had received a wildcard to compete in the tournament – aged 44.
Last week, the tennis world went into a frenzy after seven-time Grand Slam champion looked set to make her return to tennis at Indian Wells after a year out of the sport.
However Williams has since clarified her position and the tournament has confirmed in an announcement, that she will not be playing.
“Our team has been informed that Venus is not accepting the wild card this year,” the event posted on X with a statement from tournament director Tommy Haas.
“We wish Venus all the best and hope to see her back in Indian Wells in the future.”
Williams is ranked 974th in the world and has not played a WTA Tour-level match since losing in the first round of the Miami Open last March.
Before the official announcement from Indian Wells, Williams told the Tennis Weekly podcast the exact reason why she wouldn’t be taking the wild-card.
“I love Indian Wells, I would love to be there and if I could have accepted it, I would have been like, yes. But I already made commitments,” Williams said.
The five-time Wimbledon champion also added she found the whole frenzy about her return ‘amusing’ and it made her want to play.
“Actually, I found the announcement super amusing because, I don’t know, people seem to be happy, so I was like, maybe I’ll just go with it,” the 49-time WTA champion said.
“I don’t know I’m actually not going. I’m like, I’m gonna be, like, in overseas. I’m not gonna be here.
“I just had a player text me today too, like “can you play doubles?” I’m not playing. I found out about the wild card when you guys did. Just saying.”
Indian Wells is a tournament with a lot of history for Williams.
Along with her sister Serena Williams, she boycotted the event for 15 years after the younger Williams was booed and heckled by fans during her win against Kim Clijsters in the 2001 final.
The jeers appeared to be in response to Venus withdrawing injured from the semi-final between the siblings.
Richard Williams, their father, later accused fans of racial abuse, Serena returned to the tournament in 2015 while Venus played the following year.
It looks like we will have to wait for any sensational return to tennis for Venus, who for the time being has not given any indication about retiring.
Although, it might not be too long, as the two-time US Open champion said she is still training and hitting and will look to play professional tennis soon.
And clearly it appears her fellow players are equally keen to team up with her.