The seven-time grand slam singles champion will compete for the first time since March 2024 after an injury-hit year, while she has not won a Tour-level match since August 2023.
Her only competitive action last year came after she received a wildcard to this event and the Miami Open, losing both times in the first round, to Japan's Nao Hibino and Russian Diana Shnaider respectively.
Two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova, who is about to make her return to the sport following the birth of her first child last July, has also been handed a wildcard to the tournament in California.
The 34-year-old Czech announced two weeks ago she will compete at the WTA 250 in Austin later in February, her first event since the 2023 China Open.
She is a three-time quarter-finalist at Indian Wells while Williams, who is entering her 32nd WTA season, has reached the semi-final on three occasions.
Williams boycotted Indian Wells for 15 years following the heckling of her younger sister Serena during her win over Kim Clijsters in the 2001 final.
Venus, whose withdrawal from the semi-final against her sister due to injury that year prompted jeers from the crowd.
Her first appearance at Indian Wells came in 1994. She won five titles at Wimbledon and two at the US Open in singles, along with 14 grand slam doubles crowns with Serena.
The BNP Paribas Open runs from March 2-16.
With Reuters & AP.
24°C