Serena to Return to Indian Wells After 14 Years
After nearly a decade and a half, world number one Serena Williams announced via a TIME Magazine exclusive that she will end her boycott of Indian Wells and return to the California tournament this year.
“I’m fortunate to be at a point in my career where I have nothing to prove. I’m still as driven as ever, but the ride is a little easier,” said Serena in her article. “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.”
In 2001, Serena was booed during her final win over Kim Clijsters after her sister, Venus, withdrew from her semifinal match. Serena would defeat Clijsters for her second title at Indian Wells, but vowed to never return to the tournament.
In her personally written letter for TIME, Serena explains how she felt on that day in 2001:
“As I walked out onto the court, the crowd immediately started jeering and booing. In my last match, the semifinals, I was set to play my sister, but Venus had tendinitis and had to pull out. Apparently that angered many fans. Throughout my whole career, integrity has been everything to me. It also everything and more to Venus. The false allegations that our matches were fixed hurt, cut and ripped into us deeply. The undercurrent of racism was painful, confusing and unfair. In a game I loved with all my heart, at one of my most cherished tournaments, I suddenly felt unwelcome, alone and afraid.”
The 33-year old American is pairing with the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), an organization that provides legal representation to those who have been denied just and fair treatment in the legal system. Fans who donate $10 or more to the cause will be entered into a draw and the winner will be Serena’s personal guest at the tournament.
In addition to her 2001 title over Kim Clijsters, Serena also captured the 1999 title over Steffi Graff.
Click here to watch Serena make her announcement.
