Serena Williams - Indian Wells never again
New WTA rules which take effect in 2009 oblige players to take part in a number of tournaments, among which is Indian Wells. Those who refuse to compete will be subjects to sanctions (suspension from the next two premium tournaments) and big fines.
Despite all this, Serena says that chances of her returning to Indian Wells are slim to none. She is boycotting this tournament because of her bad experience in 2001, when she withdrew from the match because of what she believed were racially motivated jeers. WTA announced that they are not going to adjust the rules for individual players, while the father of Williams sisters threatens the WTA Tour that he will take legal action if it tries to force his daughters to play in this tournament.
In my opinion, Serena should move on, leave that painful experience behind, and let us enjoy her talent in as many matches as possible. She should think of all those people who support her, and not waste her energy on those who certainly don't deserve it. (photo: Wire Image)
It's seem that the WTA, is supporting racism. What about two face Billie Jean? she really care about women rights what about a black women rights? To be at peace. It's simple we African American need to boycott Sony, Sony is the pay master of Indian wells, like Pete Billie, etc who own Indian wells get the message that racism don't pay. I haven't hear what these people WTA have done to stop racism at their event. I won't go to Indian Wells, I am black I won't feel welcome or safe. Just leave the Williams sister alone.
I saw that tournament and that girl was only 19 when those white people viciously verbally attacked her and her family. It was the worst thing I have ever seen in a tennis match. The Indian Wells promoters should have rejected the crowd's behavior immediately over the loud speaker and apologized to Serena and her family for the pain that it caused.
That 19 year old child, cried her way through the final set…..and still won!
I do not blame the Williams one bit for never stepping foot in that tournament again.
Keep holding them by the tennis balls girls!
I am embarrassed to be white after the way people at Indian Wells treated Serena. They should never play there again and those people booing should be ashamed of themselves! If they didn't want to watch her play they shouldn't have gone and sat down.
Why is the WTA forcing the William's girls to play indian wells? that goes on to show they support racism and that's not acceptable in this day and era! The tournament should get off their high horses and apologise publicly the William's family and maybe the girls will re-think; although i think they still may not play… I could have done the same if I was Serena or Venus. Why go back to such a place especially when they were playing on home soil? These girls have made alot of money and are nearing retirement, so I guess the fines they may pay for not playing will be nothing to what they earn in other tournaments and endorsement deals! I support them 100% not to play there unless they are apologiesed to!
You'll find haters no matter where you go. I watched a soccer match where the italians made monkey sounds everytime the other team's african american touched the ball. Up until then, I had no idea italians were that narrow minded. Just the other week during the olympics, the italian teams took the time to rear their ugliness again against the asians. This isn't the first time racism has reared it's head. The william's sisters should try once again and goto Indian Wells. All eyes will be on the staff, the WTA, and how the public acts. Don't let ignorance make you avoid what you like to do best. If it happens again, the williams sisters, family, friends, and other fans, have every right to continue boycotting that place. I'm sure others will do the same. You don't deserve to have top players grace your grounds if you're going to allow them to be abused.
No way! they should boycott the tournament because they've never received an apology since the event happened in 2001. And I hope Richard Williams sue's the WTA if they try to force his daughters to play there… am sure the williams family will pocket alot of money from this!!! and the wta will look fools at their own game.
Apologized TO THE WILLIAMS FAMILY FIRST ….
WTA representative Larry Scott has not given any information on what the WTA and the Indian Wells tournament has done to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
There is absolutely no way that you would epect Serena or her family to expose themselves to that sort of treatment.
Before being tennis players they are human beings.
Shame on WTA and Indian Wells
I grew up in Italy and was black and faced much less racism than I do here. The country who made the racist photos was Spain, as was, I think the incident you are talking about.
The difference here is that these were AMERICANS booing an AMERICAN on AMERICAN soil!!!!!!!
Even without the claims of racism, this is disgusting. Oh yes the French did it to her as well at the French open, but wait, they were French and she is AMERICAN.
If you don't get whey they won't play, you never will.
I have been a huge fan of tennis for a very long time. As an African American tennis fan, I was extremely proud of how tennis acknowledeged the struggle and achievements of great african american tennis players. Conversely, I am extremely distressed that when offered the opportunity to stand behind its players after an ugly incident, the WTA showed it "true colors" - Green. The WTA clearly showed that it is not "really" interested in making this great sport accessible and attractive to "all" people. In the end, the WTA backed "green backs" and ultimately made the Williams' choice to stand by their principles a possibly "career ending decision." If you believe in the principles in which shaped this country, you should boycott the Indian Wells tournament and send a message to the WTA - we will not be coerced. If you think the Williams' reaction to this ugly incident in 2001 seem melodramatic, consider this - this is 2008 and erudite, accomplished and charismatic people of color are still being forced to choose between standing behind their principles or being put at a distinct disadvantage by the establishment that is supposed to be their biggest advocates. Shame on you WTA.
the williams sisters are doing exactly what the racist cowards are wanting them to do. they need to go back there and play in it no matter what. they should view this differently. they should play this although they know that they may hear or see racial actions. they should play this to show how strong they are. this will teach the racist cowards to deal with it, and that the williams sisters are able to rise above racism and evil.
SCREW INDIAN WELLS. THIS "NEW" RULING THAT THEY HAVE IS BS!!! THEY DIDN'T WANT THEM THERE WHEN THEY WERE JUST LITTLE BLACK GIRLS STARTING OUT ON THE SCENE, BUT…. NOW!!! NOW THAT THE WILLIAMS GIRLS ARE THE "WORLD"S GREATEST", THEY MAKE A RULE TRYING TO FORCE THEM TO PLAY IN THEIR RACIST TOURNAMENT. MISS THAT MONEY HUH, INDIAN WELLS???
I AGREE WITH CELESTE, "KEEP HOLDING THEM BY THE TENNIS BALLS LADIES" YOU ARE MY HEROS!!!!