Serena Williams’ return to Indian Wells is over. Williams’ decision to play Indian Wells marked the end of a 14-year boycott of the tournament, initiating a flood of media coverage reexamining the beginnings of the controversy. After Venus Williams pulled out of a semifinal match against her sister Serena due to a knee injury, the crowd turned against Serena. Many suspected that Richard Williams, Venus and Serena’s coach and father, had rigged the match to avoid sibling competition; Richard Williams denies these allegations, maintaining that the tennis community harbors racist views, leading to events like Indian Wells.

Williams, currently the top female tennis player worldwide, was set to face Romanian Simona Halep, ranked third, last Friday night. While it was a few years late to defend her 2001 title, Williams, the clear favorite, had won four matches, three in straight sets. “A couple days ago at practice, I really injured my knee,” the player commented, explaining her withdrawal from the semifinals. “I could barely even walk.” Ironically, Serena’s exit from Indian Wells mirrors Venus’ earlier departure, as both players suffered knee injuries that prohibited them from advancing in the tournament.

In a stark contrast from 2001, the fans supported Williams’ withdrawal, applauding the player after she explained her injury. “She was very, very concerned about how it would be perceived,” notes Andrew Krasny, the stadium announcer and MC. Luckily, Williams exited uneventfully. Her would-be opponent, Simona Halep, advanced to the finals automatically, defeating 2014 champion Jelena Jankovic to take the title. “It’s been a wonderful journey,” Williams concluded.

Sources

http://www.bnpparibasopen.com

http://www.nytimes.com

http://edition.cnn.com