Sport
Serena Williams to end boycott of Indian Wells – 14 years after racist abuse
World number one Serena Williams has buried the hatchet and will return to Indian Wells to play in the tournament she has boycotted for 14 years after suffering racist abuse.
In an interview with TIME magazine, the 19-times grand slam singles champion said she had discovered the “true meaning of forgiveness” and would go for a third title in the Californian resort in March.
“It has been difficult for me to forget spending hours crying in the Indian Wells locker room after winning in 2001, driving back to Los Angeles feeling as if I had lost the biggest game ever – not a mere tennis game but a bigger fight for equality,” Williams wrote.
“I am fortunate to be at a point in my career where I have nothing to prove. I am still as driven as ever, but the ride is a little easier. I play for the love of the game.”
“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.”
Williams won her second title at the showpiece event in 2001, beating Kim Clijsters in a final marred by the behavior of some fans who booed and heckled the American and her family, apparently in response to sister Venus withdrawing injured from their semi-final.
In her autobiography My Life: Queen of the Court, Williams describes the events which prompted her boycott: where nasty racist slurs and epithets were directed at her.
“I even heard one angry voice telling us to go back to Compton. It was unbelievable.” added Williams.
