Venus Williams’ results on the WTA Tour this year have been far from ideal.
The 45-year-old, who made her return to the Tour last year at the Washington Open, has lost all four of her singles matches to start the year.
The American has lost to Magda Linette, Tatjana Maria, Olga Danilovic and Alja Tomljanovic.
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Venus has also struggled to make her mark in doubles, losing her two doubles matches to start the year.
The five-time Wimbledon singles champion has received a wildcard for Indian Wells; and following the draw being made on Monday, Venus will be hopeful of clinching her first win of the season.
Venus Williams has been drawn against a qualifier in the Indian Wells first round
Venus Williams now has a huge opportunity to win her first match of the season, after her Indian Wells first-round opponent was revealed.
The American has been pitted against a qualifier in the first round, rather than facing a player who had automatically qualified for the first round.
If Venus were to win her first-round match in California, she would face former Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the second round.
Venus has a 2-4 record against her compatriot, last beating Keys in the 2015 WTA Elite Trophy event.
The pair last contested a match at the 2023 Canadian Open. Keys beat Venus 6-2, 7-5 before withdrawing from her next scheduled match against Jasmine Paolini.
If Venus were to cause a shock and beat Keys at the 2026 Indian Wells Open, she would likely face Emma Navarro in the third round.
If Venus were to reach the fourth round, she would likely play Elena Rybakina: the 2026 Australian Open champion.
Venus Williams’ Indian Wells debut
In 1998, Venus Williams made her debut in the Indian Wells main draw after coming through qualifying.
In the first round, Venus was defeated by French player Julie Halard-Decugis, 2-6, 4-6.
German legend Steffi Graf won the tournament, beating Conchita Martinez in the final.
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A year later, Venus reached the quarter-finals after beating Naoko Kijimuta, Ai Sugiyama and Iva Majoli.
In the last eight, Venus lost to Lindsay Davenport 4-6, 7-5, 6-7.
Venus has never won Indian Wells. Her best results occurred in 1998, 2001 and 2018, when she reached the semi-finals.
