Serena Williams has mentally and emotionally overcome the feelings she had when she last played in the Indian Wells Tournament. Williams has decided to return to the tournament in which she has boycotted since 2001. Williams sat down and shared her thoughts with Time.com, in a first person column.
“It was March 2001, and I was a 19-year-old focused on winning and being the best I could be, both for me and for the kids who looked up to me. I had spent tens of thousands of hours—most of my adolescence—serving, running, practicing, training day in and day out in pursuit of a dream. And it had started to become a reality. As a black tennis player, I looked different. I sounded different. I dressed differently. I served differently. But when I stepped onto the court, I could compete with anyone”.
Serena and her older sister Venus Williams were set to face off in the semifinals, in the 2001 match, but 20 minute before the match, Venus, withdrew from the match due to tendinitis. Fans were not pleased and felt that it could have been part of the sisters plan. The fans were irate and began booing the sisters very loudly. Matters got worst when Elena Dementieva, whom Venus beat in the quarterfinals, said during a press conference that she felt the Williams sisters dad would play a major role and ultimately decided who would win the match once the sisters faced off.
“The false allegations that our matches were fixed hurt, cut and ripped into us deeply. The undercurrent of racism was painful, confusing and unfair. In the game I love with all my heart, at one of my most cherished tournaments, I certainly felt unwelcome, alone and afraid, said Williams”.
Serena also added, “I play for the love of the game and it is with that love in mind and a new understanding of the true meaning of forgiveness, that I will proudly return to Indian Wells in 2015”.
Indian Wells holds a very special place in Serena’s heart because it is the place where Williams won her first pro match in 1997. Im sure this will be a very emotional return for her.
