Venus Williams Venus Williams

Former world number one and seven-time major champion Venus Williams has been awarded a wildcard entry into the Indian Wells Open. (More Tennis News)fc188

The 44-year-old, who has not played a Tour-level match since the Miami Open last year, will be joined by fellow wildcard Petra Kvitova in the women's draw.

Williams has competed on the WTA Tour for 31 years and this year's appearance at the competition will be her 10th at Indian Wells.

She has been a semi-finalist on three occasions (1998, 2001 and 2018), but boycotted the tournament for 15 years after her younger sister, 23-time grand slam champion Serena  Williams, was heckled by fans during the 2001 final.

Kvitova, meanwhile, will be at the tournament for the 13th time after 15 months away from tennis following the birth of her first child.

Serena Williams Crip Walk: Former Champion Earns Plaudits From Sister Venus - Check Viral Video

India had last defeated nemesis Australia way back in the 1972 Munich Olympics before the playing surface shifted to astroturf.

Skipper Harmanpreet Singh (13th,ph444 games 32nd minutes) netted a brace en route his sixth goal in the Games so far and his 26th of the year, while Abhishek gave India the lead in the 12th minute.

BY Outlook Sports Desk

She has reached the last eight on three occasions, including on her most recent appearance in 2023.

Familiar faces return to the desert @Venuseswilliams & @Petra_Kvitova are among this year’s women’s singles wildcards!Read More: https://t.co/FeY9Dcxmdh#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/ts6NJK2rwv

okebet slot— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) February 19, 2025

Youngsters Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien, meanwhile, received wildcards for the men's draw.

Brazilian 18-year-old Fonseca will come into the competition on the back of winning his first ATP title at the Argentina Open.

He is the youngest South American to win an ATP title in the Open Era and the 10th-youngest player in Tour history.

Fonseca's world ranking has improved from 655 a year ago to a career-high 68 as a result of his performances. He will be making his debut at Indian Wells, having last month beaten Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open.

Tien is another talent who enjoyed a headline-grabbing campaign in Melbourne, with the 19-year-old American beating Daniil Medvedev over five sets in the second round.

The Indian Wells Open runs from March 2 through to March 16.fc188