Venus Williams to End Boycott and Return to Indian Wells for 1st Time Since 2001

Venus Williams will be making a return to the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells for the first time since 2001. 

According to ESPN.com, Williams has officially entered the event, and BNP Paribas Open tournament CEO Raymond Moore followed with a brief statement about the legendary tennis player's participation. 

"We are thrilled that Venus Williams, one of the greatest women's players in the history of the game, is returning to play in the BNP Paribas Open," Moore said. "Our fans embraced Serena last year, and we expect nothing less for Venus when she returns to compete at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden."

During her last appearance at this tournament 15 years ago, Williams withdrew from a semifinal match against sister Serena Williams due to an injury. Both Williams sisters, along with their father, were loudly booed during Serena's championship match against Kim Clijsters when Venus was in the stands. 

According to an article by Joel Drucker of ESPN.com, citing a USA Today article from Mar. 26, 2001, Venus and Serena's father, Richard Williams, claimed he heard racial slurs from the crowd being directed toward him and his family.

"I heard whatever he heard," Venus said at a news conference that same day, per Drucker's report.

Both Williams sisters boycotted the tournament for years after the incident. Serena made a return to Indian Wells in 2015, telling Time magazine last February what the experience was like in 2001:

"

This haunted me for a long time. It haunted Venus and our family as well. But most of all, it angered and saddened my father. He dedicated his whole life to prepping us for this incredible journey, and there he had to sit and watch his daughter being taunted, sparking cold memories of his experiences growing up in the South.

"

Serena said last year she felt the time was right to return to the place where she won her first professional match as part of a doubles pairing with her sister. 

Venus said in the ESPN.com article about her return to Indian Wells that her sister's comeback last year "was wonderful to see" and she "definitely watched every moment" of Serena's run to the semifinals before she withdrew due to a knee injury.

Venus took a little more time away from the California-based tournament, but she has found the right time to make a comeback. The tournament's first round begins on Mar. 9.