Serena Williams ends Indian Wells tournament boycott 14 years after racist incident

Serena Williams announced Wednesday that she would return to a tournament in Indian Wells, Calif., 14 years after fans there booed her in an ugly incident involving unfounded allegations of match-fixing.

In 2001, Williams was scheduled to face sister Venus at Indian Wells. But tendonitis forced Venus to withdraw, prompting vicious, racially charged abuse.

"The under­current of racism was painful, confusing and unfair," Williams wrote of the experience. "In a game I loved with all my heart, at one of my most cherished tournaments, I suddenly felt unwelcome, alone and afraid."

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But citing the progress the sport has made since then, Williams said she was finally ready to return to the event that long haunted her: "Together we have a chance to write a different ­ending."