Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams has accepted a wild card entry into the 2026 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. The 45-year-old American will compete in both singles and doubles, marking her return to the event since 2024. Tournament director Tommy Haas described the invitation as an honor for the tennis legend.
Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, has received the first wild card of the 2026 season for the BNP Paribas Open, a prestigious WTA hardcourt tournament scheduled for March in Indian Wells, California. At 45 years old, Williams will participate in both singles and doubles draws, her first appearance at the event since 2024.
Tommy Haas, director of the combined ATP and WTA tournament, expressed enthusiasm about the decision. “It’s an honor to award the first wild card of this year’s event to Venus Williams,” Haas said. “Venus is a legend of the game, and one of the most accomplished players our sport has ever seen. We are thrilled to welcome her back to Tennis Paradise and give the fans the chance to see her compete in both singles and doubles.”
Williams shared her excitement in a statement: “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. I’ve made so many fun memories here over the years, and I’m grateful to the tournament for having me back and giving me the opportunity to compete in both singles and doubles.”
This will be Williams' tenth career appearance at Indian Wells, where she has reached the semifinals three times—in 1998, 2001, and 2018. Her career highlights include 49 WTA Tour-level singles titles, former world No. 1 rankings in both singles and doubles, a combined 23 Grand Slam titles across all competitions, four Olympic gold medals, and the 2008 WTA Tour Championships.
Recently, Williams made history as the oldest woman to compete at the Australian Open in January 2026, where she accepted a wild card and lost in three sets to 24-year-old Serbian Olga Danilović in the first round. She returned to competition after a 16-month hiatus at the DC Open in July 2025 and partnered with Leylah Fernandez to reach the US Open doubles quarterfinals in September 2025. Williams is also scheduled to play the ATX Open in Austin, Texas, from February 21 to March 1, 2026.
Williams and her sister Serena boycotted Indian Wells from 2001 to 2014 following an incident involving fan behavior and a semifinal withdrawal, but Venus ended her boycott in 2015 after a call from tournament owner Larry Ellison.
