The BNP Paribas Open is in full swing in the California desert town of Indian Wells. It attracts the top men players in the world but the women's draw is missing Venus and Serena Williams yet again.
In terms of attendance and quality of draws the tournament ranks just below the Grand Slams as a result of the number of points awarded towards the year end championship and prize money.
It is also considered a mandatory event for members of the WTA with at least lip service given to penalties for skipping it without a legitimate reason.
The history of the boycott by the Williams sisters dates to 2001 ( see link below )when the crowd turned on Venus. Four minutes prior to a semi-final against Serena she pulled out of a match with an injury. Serena advanced to the final.
When Venus and her father Richard appeared the next day to watch Serena take the title they were roundly booed by the crowd. Reports of the incident note that Venus was without a wrap on the injured leg and didn't seem to be in discomfort.
At the time there were rumors on the women's tour that Richard Williams manipulated his daughters' performances to determine who won matches between them. Unfounded rumors of course but one top woman, Elena Dementieva spoke about her belief in the truth of it all. She did so after Venus' withdrawal.
The booing of the crowd must still rings in the ears of the sisters who made a vow never to appear again at the tournament. They've been as good as their word.
Needless to say they are willing to forfeit the points and prize money (plus fines if any are actually assessed) and the tournament is poorer for it.
Both Belgian women who have come back strong from quick retirements, Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters are in attendance but the highest ranked U.S. woman at Indian Wells is Melanie Oudin, the darling of 2009's summer season.
The then 17 year old who seemed to come out of nowhere, made it to the fourth round at Wimbledon after entering as a qualifier and played in the quarter-finals at the U.S. Open during which she fell to Caroline Wozniacki. The problem? Oudin lost in the first round on Thursday to Italian Roberta Vinci.
On the men's side we have the cream of the crop with the top seeds Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal along with seventh seeded American Andy Roddick.
Dennis Schmid, Phoenix Tennis Examiner has been on site and has photos and reports, here
The tournament website has order of play, seedings for women and men, scores and schedules, here
Full summary of 2001 Indian Wells incident involving the Williams sisters, can be found here.
Comments
The Williams sisters follow their own rulebook. However, referring to the current event, how does someone retire down 6-2, 5-3 without some sanction being imposed, unless a piece of the roof [no roof here] or something falls on their head and knocks them out?
Patricia, just saw that match result. Not being there hard to say but it had better been after many visits from a trainer to the court
White people these days are against Serena Williams because she wins almost all the times. They are also against Tiger woods because of his success. If it was a white female player that were involved in the minor incidence at semifinal of us open 2009, it wouldn't have been a big problem as it has been. Same for Tiger woods affairs. Please stop being jealous of successful black people!!!!
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