Grand Slam Champions Join Star-Studded Lineup

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams and two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova have been granted wildcards for the 2025 Indian Wells tournament, set to take place from March 5 to 16 in California. The prestigious ATP and WTA 1000 event, often dubbed the "fifth Grand Slam," will see the return of two of the most celebrated players in women's tennis.  

Alongside Williams and Kvitova, rising ATP stars j have also been awarded wildcards, setting up an exciting mix of experienced champions and young talent.  

Venus Williams Makes Long-Awaited Return

At 44 years old, Venus Williams continues to defy expectations. The former world No. 1 and seven-time Grand Slam champion will be making her 10th career appearance at Indian Wells.  

Williams has not competed in a WTA event since March 2024, when she played at the Miami Open. Injuries have limited her schedule in recent years, but her return to Indian Wells signals her determination to compete at the highest level.  

The American legend has a complicated history with the tournament, having boycotted it for 14 years following a controversial incident in 2001, before finally returning in 2016. Now, she is set to once again grace the courts of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, where fans will be eager to see her in action.  

Petra Kvitova Returns After Maternity Leave

Petra Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon champion (2011, 2014), will also make a highly anticipated return to the tour after a 15-month maternity break. The 34-year-old Czech star gave birth to her son, Petr, in July 2024 and is now preparing for her 13th appearance at Indian Wells.  

Kvitova has long been a force on the WTA Tour, with 31 career titles and a reputation for her powerful left-handed game. Her return to competition is a major storyline heading into the tournament, as fans are eager to see how she performs after an extended absence.  

Rising ATP Stars Earn Wildcards

While Williams and Kvitova bring experience, Indian Wells will also welcome two promising ATP teenage talents with wildcard entries:  

• Joao Fonseca (18, Brazil) – Fresh off his first ATP title at the Argentina Open, Fonseca became the youngest Brazilian to win an ATP event in the Open Era. The teenager is considered one of the brightest young prospects in men's tennis.
• Learner Tien (19, USA) – Tien made headlines last month at the 2025 Australian Open, where he became the youngest player since Rafael Nadal in 2005 to reach the tournament’s second week. His fourth-round run in Melbourne solidified his reputation as a rising American star.  

Both players will be making their main draw debuts at Indian Wells, and their presence adds excitement to the tournament’s next-generation narrative.  

Indian Wells 2025: A Tournament to Watch

With seasoned legends and emerging stars, the 2025 Indian Wells tournament is shaping up to be a thrilling event. Williams and Kvitova’s returns add an element of nostalgia, while Fonseca and Tien represent the future of tennis.  

The tournament kicks off on March 5, with top ATP and WTA stars set to battle in the California desert for one of the most prestigious non-Grand Slam titles in tennis.