Venus Williams I will not play in BNP Paribas Open next week, and has never planned to run for this year’s event.
After the organizers of the tournament announced in a press release last Wednesday that Williams, 44, had received an entrance from Joker In the main draw of the WTA level 1000 tournament in Indian Wells, California, Williams clarified his status during an appearance in Denmark on Sunday. She joked the positive response of her presumed commitment almost convincing her to play in the case. Williams has participated in a professional tennis event for the last time for the last time.
“It was not true. No, I don’t play,” Williams told the crowd in a Audio recording of “An evening with Venus Williams” Published on social networks. “I found the announcement super fun because, I don’t know, people seemed to be happy, so maybe I’m going. Abroad.
“I just had a text sent myself today, like” can you play in doubles? “” Williams added. “I do not play. I discovered the Joker when you did it … and I love the Indian Wells. I would love to be there, so if I could accept it, I would have said: ‘Yes .
Out of the field: Serena Williams joins Kendrick Lamar during the part-time show of the Super Bowl for “ not like us ”
BNP Paribas Open Tournament Director Tommy Haas admitted that Williams would not play in the event this year In a declaration Sunday evening. “Our team was informed that Venus does not accept the Joker this year,” said Haas. “We wish Venus all the best and hope to see it back in the Indian wells in the future.”
Williams has not played in a professional tennis tournament since the Miami open last March and played two matches in single during the 2024 WTA season. She lost games in the first round at the Miami Open and the BNP Paribas Open last year, when she accepted an invitation to the Joker.
The seven times major champion in simple is currently n ° 975 in the world tennis ranking and its immediate and long -term future in tennis remains as uncertain as ever as the announcement last week has proven to be a false alarm.
This article originally appeared on USA Today: Venus Williams will not play BNP Paribas Open despite the joker invitation
