Serena Williams' Decision To End 14-Year Indian Wells Boycott A Coup For "Fifth Slam"

BNP Paribas Open officials said that they had "been in talks" with tennis player Serena Williams since December about ending her 14-year boycott of the event, but she "did not want to officially announce her return until this week to prevent a distraction during the Australian Open," according to Andrew John of the Palm Springs DESERT SUN. BNP Paribas Open CEO Raymond Moore said yesterday that he was contacted some time ago by WTA Chair & CEO Stacey Allaster "about the possibility of Williams returning to Indian Wells." Moore said that after a "lot of thought, Williams was open to it." Moore said that he and Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, who owns the event, "conducted a conference call with Allaster and Williams and she offered her commitment." John reports Williams "announced a charitable part of her return as well." Fans who "donate $10 or more to Equal Justice Initiative, an organization that provides legal representation to individuals who have been denied fair and just treatment in the legal system, will be entered in a drawing to win a trip to Indian Wells and sit courtside during her first match, have the opportunity to return one of her serves during a practice session and take home one of her rackets." As the BNP Paribas Open over the years "expanded and ultimately grew into the fifth largest professional tennis tournament in the world, the one thing it lacked was the Williams sisters, who have become dominant in the sport." Serena Williams' return to the tournament "increases the star power and overall quality of the tournament" (Palm Springs DESERT SUN, 2/5). Moore said that he has "had no direct contact with Venus Williams," who has also boycotted the event, but that he "intended to reach out to her." Moore said that the tournament "was keeping a wild-card slot available for her, just as it had for Serena." In N.Y., Christopher Clarey notes neither sister "was on the original official entry list for this year’s event" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/5).

BACKHAND WINNER: In California, Shad Powers in a front-page piece writes Williams' return "is a huge development" for the BNP Paribas Open. With "recent upgrades under the stewardship" of Ellison, the event "considers itself the fifth slam." But for the past decade or so, the other four majors "had something the Indian Wells event didn't -- the Williams sisters." Not having "the greatest female player of all time while she's in her prime made those 'Fifth Slam' claims ring hollow." Now the BNP Paribas Open "really does have everything the other four Grand Slams have, and more" (Palm Springs DESERT SUN, 2/5). ESPN.com's Peter Bodo wrote a cynic "might scoff" at Williams' decision and "characterize it as a public relations gambit or spiking the football; after all, she will be returning in triumph." But "does anyone really believe that a woman who has been reducing her schedule to accommodate her age (33) and physical state would add the 10-day 'fifth Grand Slam' to her calendar out of spite?" Bodo: "Serena is making a statement, but this one isn’t, like so many others, aggressive, vindictive or self-regarding" (ESPN.com, 2/4).