Serena Williams Announces Comeback Tournament at Indian Wells

Tennis icon Serena Williams has officially announced her return to competitive tennis, confirming she will accept a wildcard entry into the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells next month. The announcement comes nearly three years after the 23-time Grand Slam champion stepped away from professional tennis following her third-round exit at the 2023 US Open.

Williams, now 44, made the surprise announcement during a press conference at her tennis academy in Florida on Wednesday morning. The former world number one cited her renewed passion for competition and desire to inspire the next generation of players as primary motivations for her comeback.

I never thought this day would come, but I wake up every morning with fire in my belly again, Williams said. I have been training intensively for the past six months, and I feel stronger and more focused than I have in years. Tennis has always been my first love, and I am ready to compete at the highest level once again.

The decision to return at Indian Wells holds special significance for Williams, who won the tournament twice during her illustrious career, in 1999 and 2001. However, she also famously boycotted the event for 14 years following racist incidents from spectators in 2001, before returning to emotional scenes in 2015.

Tournament director Tommy Haas expressed his excitement about Williams participation. Having Serena back on the WTA Tour is incredible for tennis, Haas stated. She remains one of the greatest athletes of all time, and her presence at Indian Wells will undoubtedly create an electric atmosphere for fans and players alike.

Williams has been working with renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who previously guided her to 10 Grand Slam titles between 2012 and 2022. The French coach confirmed that Williams has been training at a high intensity and believes she can still compete with the current top players on tour.

The tennis world has reacted with overwhelming excitement to the news. Current world number one Iga Swiatek took to social media, writing: Having Serena back is a dream come true for all of us. She inspired me to pick up a racket, and I cannot wait to potentially face her on court.