- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Venus Williams Receives Wild Card for BNP Paribas Open
The tennis legend will return to the Coachella Valley tournament for the first time since 2024.
Feb. 23, 2026 at 1:34am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Venus Williams has been granted a wild card to compete in the upcoming BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California. The 45-year-old former champion is excited to return to the tournament, which she and her sister Serena boycotted from 2002 to 2014 following an incident of alleged racist abuse from the crowd.
Why it matters
Venus Williams' return to the BNP Paribas Open is significant as it marks her first appearance at the tournament since 2024. The Williams sisters' boycott of the event for over a decade brought attention to issues of racism and discrimination in professional tennis, making this a notable moment in the sport's history.
The details
Williams, currently ranked 555th in the WTA singles rankings and 143rd in doubles, has accepted a wild card invitation to compete in both the women's singles and doubles draws. She will be making her 10th appearance at the Indian Wells tournament, where she has reached the singles semifinals three times. Williams is looking forward to competing in front of the "incredible fans" at the event.
- Venus Williams last competed at the BNP Paribas Open in 2024.
- The 2026 BNP Paribas Open is scheduled to take place from March 4-15.
The players
Venus Williams
A 45-year-old former professional tennis player and three-time singles semifinalist at the BNP Paribas Open.
What they’re saying
“I'm so excited to be heading back to Indian Wells and can't wait to return home to play in California. This tournament is always such a special experience and there's nothing like competing in front of these incredible fans.”
— Venus Williams
What’s next
The main draw for the women's singles and doubles events at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open will be announced in the coming weeks.
The takeaway
Venus Williams' return to the BNP Paribas Open after a two-year absence is a testament to her enduring passion for the sport and the tournament's continued efforts to foster an inclusive environment for all players.
