Venus Williams will follow younger sister Serena and return to Indian Wells, tournament officials have announced.
Before last year, neither Williams had played the event since being booed by the crowd during the 2001 final, when Venus withdrew from her semifinal match against Serena the day before. But Serena returned to play the event in 2015 in the midst of significant publicity and media attention, getting to the semifinals before withdrawing with a knee problem.
"We are thrilled that Venus Williams, one of the greatest women's players in the history of the game, is returning to play in the BNP Paribas Open," BNP Paribas Open CEO Raymond Moore said. "Our fans embraced Serena last year, and we expect nothing less for Venus when she returns to compete at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden."
Venus has not commented publicity on her decision to return, though she previously said that Serena's well-received return would make her re-think playing Indian Wells again.
Serena is also entered into the tournament, and would be the top seed at the event.