The BNP Paribas Open announced last Wednesday that Venus Williams received an invitation to compete in the tournament, which would be her first competition in nearly a year. However, the seven-time major champion has declined the invitation.

It turns out 44-year-old Venus Williams will not be playing at the BNP Paribas Open. The tournament in Indian Wells, California, revealed on Sunday that Williams won't play, days after it announced she would be competing there as a wild card.

Former world No. 1 Venus Williams will not play at next month’s BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells after declining her wild card invitation, the tournament announced on Sunday.

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Former world number one Venus Williams will not compete at next month's Indian Wells tournament despite the WTA 1000 event giving the 44-year-old American a wildcard, ESPN reported on Sunday.

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Venus Williams said Sunday that she is not playing in the upcoming BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, Calif., despite event organizers announcing she would be playing in the event.

Tennis legend Venus Williams has received a wild card entry for next month’s BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, in what would be the 44-year-old’s first event in almost a year.

Former world No. 1 Venus Williams has been awarded a wild card for the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. The 44-year-old will be returning to court after nearly a year.

Venus Williams will not participate in the upcoming Indian Wells tournament despite receiving a wild card invitation. Due to prior commitments, Williams commented humorously on the announcement made without her consent.