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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 03: Serena Williams of the United States is seen during the set break in her match against Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria during day four of the WTA 500 Yarra Valley Classic at Melbourne Park on February 03, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mike Owen/Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 03: Serena Williams of the United States is seen during the set break in her match against Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria during day four of the WTA 500 Yarra Valley Classic at Melbourne Park on February 03, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mike Owen/Getty Images)
Serena Williams is one of the greatest tennis players in the history of tennis. Even though fans love her, there was an incident at the Indian Wells 2001 finals that had a long-lasting impact on her. Fans booed her, her father Richard Williams, and sister Venus when Serena arrived to play the match against Kim Clijsters.
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There were allegations that Richard deliberately made Venus pull out of the semi-final tournament so that Serena could win it. The sisters were supposed to go up against each other in the semi, but Venus withdrew just before the match due to an injury. Although the 23-time Grand Slam champion eventually won it, the allegations were never proved.
Serena Williams recalls what happened to her at Indian Wells 2001 finals
In a recent promotional interview with Will Smith for ‘King Richard’, Serena remembered her infamous experience at the Indian Wells 2001 finals when fans started booing her and continued to do so throughout the match. Even though she went on to win the tournament, she revealed that she didn’t want to win it but just finish the match.
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Serena Williams of USA looks on during her Women’s Singles fourth round match against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan on day eight of the 2021 French Open at Roland Garros on June 06, 2021 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
“I mean, it was hard and I just remember, I was losing and I didn’t even care, I was like I don’t want to win. I just want to get out of here with dignity… That was a rough one for me because I’ll never forget driving back and Yetunde was there. I remember just getting in the car and I was just bawling. I was at the gas station, there was no celebration and I was just crying and crying and crying,” said Serena in the interview.
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“Was really hard for me”- Serena
After this episode, Serena didn’t return to Indian Wells for 14 years. In the same interview, she revealed what was going through her mind when she finally made up her mind to feature at Indian Wells again.
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TORONTO, ON – AUGUST 11: Serena Williams of the United States becomes upset after withdrawing from the final match against Bianca Andreescu of Canada due to a back injury on Day 9 of the Rogers Cup at Aviva Centre on August 11, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
“Talk about post-traumatic stress and mental anxiety. I remember sitting in the bathroom thinking, ‘Wait, I’m not going to go back. I just don’t think I should do this. What if they start booing again?’ It was really hard for me,” added the 40-year-old.
Undoubtedly, even after 20 years, the episode still gives mental stress to Serena Williams. However, her supporters know that she is a strong player who can rise up from any situation. Will she be able to win her 24th Grand Slam title before bidding goodbye to the sport?
Also Read: ‘No Longer Serena Williams Dominating the Circle,’ Says 2021 WTA Finals Champion Garbine Muguruza
