Serena Williams to return to Indian Wells for first time since 2001 (VIDEO)

Serena Williams personally announced on video and in a self-written piece for TIME that she is returning to play the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells this coming March. The 33-year-old hasn't participated in the event since 2001, when she was booed in the finals after Venus Williams was forced to withdraw from their semifinal match with an injury.

The all-Williams match that wasn't angered ticket holders and raised then-frequent questions about matches between the two sisters. The Williams family said they also heard racist comments aimed at them. Neither sister has played the event since.

Writing in TIME, Serena said she is now ready to return. "There are some who say I should never go back," says Williams. "There are others who say I should’ve returned years ago. I understand both perspectives very well and wrestled with them for a long time.

"I’m fortunate to be at a point in my career where I have nothing to prove. I’m still as driven as ever, but the ride is a little easier. 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."

See the video here:

A year ago, Serena did not withdraw her automatic entry from the Indian Wells tournament as usual, indicating that she was considering playing the event again. However, she eventually decided against it. This time, she appears to have committed to a return.

The world No. 1 gave details of her experience at the tournament, saying it had been difficult for her and her sister, as well as her father, Richard, who had to "watch his daughter being taunted, sparking cold memories of his experiences growing up in the South."

However, Williams wrote, she was pleased with the WTA and USTA's statements reacting to Russian tennis chief Shamil Tarpischev following his deragotary remarks about the Williams sisters. The WTA suspended Tarpischev for a year and fined him for the comments.

"It reminded me how far the sport has come, and how far I’ve come too," said Williams.

In addition to her personal desire to come back, she added, it also reassures her that fans will react well to seeing her again.

Venus has not given any indication whether she will also play the tournament.

Nina Pantic and Kamakshi Tandon contributed to this report.