American Venus Williams has reportedly turned down an invitation to compete in Indian Wells. -AP
Former world No.1 Venus Williams will not compete at next month's Indian Wells tennis tournament despite the WTA 1000 event giving the 44-year-old American a wildcard, according to ESPN.
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Williams, who played only two tournaments last season, said at a speaking event in Denmark that she had not been told of the wildcard before the tournament announced it on Wednesday, adding that she was unable to compete because of prior commitments.
The seven-time grand slam champion played at Indian Wells as a wildcard last year.
"I found the announcement super amusing because, I don't know, people seem to be happy, so I was like, 'Maybe I'll just go with it, I don't know'," the ESPN report quoted Williams as saying.
"I'm actually not going. I'm going to be overseas."
The main draw at Indian Wells runs from March 5.
"I love Indian Wells, I would love to be there and if I could have accepted it, I would have been like, 'Yes,'" she said.
Williams boycotted the event for 15 years after fans booed and heckled her younger sister Serena during her 2001 final victory over Kim Clijsters, apparently in response to Venus withdrawing injured from their semi-final.Â
