Williams is making her return to the WTA following the birth of her daughter last yearASH MARSHALL
The women's draw last year at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells "lacked the kind of star power" the event is accustomed to, but with the return of Serena Williams and "several other big-name players that shouldn't be an issue this year," according to Andrew John of the Palm Springs DESERT SUN. Much will "rightfully be made" of Williams' WTA return. But there are "several other notable returns that shouldn't be overlooked." Victoria Azarenka will also "return to the event after missing last year following the birth of her son." Maria Sharapova also will "make her return to the event for the first time in three years." Additionally, Petra Kvitova will "return to the tournament after missing last year recovering from a stabbing incident during a robbery at her home" in '16 (Palm Springs DESERT SUN, 3/7). Meanwhile, in London, Simon Briggs notes Novak Djokovic last night "became the latest big name to appear" in the men's draw at Indian Wells. Although he did participate in the recent Australian Open, Djokovic' four matches there "remain his only contribution to the tour since Wimbledon." He also "needed a 'small medical intervention' ... on his troublesome right elbow" last month. However, despite the addition of Djokovic, Indian Wells is "still suffering from a plethora of high-profile withdrawals on the men's side." Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and David Goffin have "all joined Andy Murray on the absent list" (London TELEGRAPH, 3/7).
GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN: In California, Xochitl Pena writes with all of the top women's players in this year's field, the WTA is "taking the opportunity to get as many ladies as possible glammed up and in front of the camera for a shoot." Nearly 100 WTA players are "scheduled to show off their best poses for the camera from inside a pop-up tent just outside the Indian Wells Tennis Garden." WTA Senior VP/Communications Heather Bowler said, "Our goal is to capture and highlight each player's unique personality and style so that we may have premier marketing materials to tell their story throughout the year." She added, "We've created a fun vibe here on set where the players can take a break from the court, get glammed up and have fun behind the camera." Player Anett Kontaveit said that she "doesn't wear make-up for her matches so she appreciates getting dolled up every now and then and getting to feel 'really girly.'" Fellow player Bethanie Mattek-Sands said, "Sometimes you only see the match version of all these players and the practice version and even though I think sweaty is sexy, too, it's fun to kind of doll up and do make-up and get your make-up done by the professionals" (Palm Spring DESERT SUN, 3/7).
