Home » Williams to skip BNP Paribas Open, cites other ‘commitments’

Williams to skip BNP Paribas Open, cites other ‘commitments’

Expect Venus Williams to skip the upcoming BNP Paribas Open due to other “commitments” she had previously agreed to.

Visit SportsMania for more tennis news and updates.

Check out M88 Mansion’s best offers here.

WILLIAMS TO SKIP BNP PARIBAS OPEN DESPITE GETTING WILD-CARD SLOT

Expect Williams to skip the BNP Paribas Open despite organizers offering her a wild-card slot.

Furthermore, the 44-year-old was one of a few notable names whom organizers announced were getting wild-card slots for Indian Wells.

Moreover, Williams cited other “commitments,” which meant for her going overseas.

“I’m not actually not going. I’m going overseas. Not going to be (there),” Williams said.

“I would love to be there (Indian Wells) if I could have accepted it, I would have been like, ‘Yes.” But I already made commitments,” she added.

Williams did not elaborate her plans while going overseas.

Venus Williams will not be part of BNP Paribas Open after all https://t.co/Z4Q0kLC503

— Desert Sun Sports (@DesertSunSports) February 24, 2025

TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR CONFIRMS VENUS ‘NOT ACCEPTING THE WILD CARD’ SLOT

Tournament director Tommy Haas confirmed Williams was “not accepting the wild card” slot.

Moreover, the retired former player disclosed his team received Williams’ decision on Sunday.

Furthermore, Indian Wells was supposed to be Williams’ first stint since the Miami Open in March 2024.

“We wish Venus all the best and hope to see her back in Indian Wells in the future,” Haas said.

Meanwhile, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova was also given a wild card in the women’s singles.

A Message From Tournament Director Tommy Haas:

“Our team has been informed that Venus is not accepting the wild card this year. We wish Venus all the best and hope to see her back in Indian Wells in the future.”

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) February 24, 2025

VENUS IN DENMARK WHEN SHE ADDRESSED INDIAN WELLS’ OFFER

Williams was in Denmark when she addressed the Indian Wells’ organizers’ offer.

Furthermore, the former world No.1 spoke at an event called “An Evening with Venus Williams” in Naestved, Denmark.

Moreover, Williams also learned about her wild-card slot at the same time the public saw it on the news.

“Actually, I found the announcement super amusing because, I don’t know, people seem to be happy, so I was like, ‘Maybe I’ll just go with it, I don’t know,'” the older sister of Serena Williams said.

“I just had a player text me today too, like ‘Can you play doubles?’ (But) I’m not going,” she added.

Trust us, it’s even better in person 😍#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/GIgJPGC3Um

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) February 23, 2025