While Indian Wells is heating up, with Andy Murray and Nick Kyrgios the latest casualties, Ubitennis take a look at the Californian Tournament and its standing in the tour. It has been more known for controversy in the last fourteen years, but is California’s major tournament and has always been one of the top priorities for pros.
The tournament which started in 1974 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden boasts £5.1m prize money for women and £3.6m for men. The tournament is owned by Oracle owner Larry Ellison who purchased it back in 2009. It is a major tournament and the 3rd biggest in America after Miami Open and of course the US Open. It draws all the main players from around the world, but has on occasion been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.
We are able to talk about it now, as Serena is making her second return appearance and is more reflective, but Indian Wells has been tainted by the incidents that took place in 2001. That year both Williams sisters managed to make it into the Semi-Finals, only for Venus Williams to pull out due to injury. Being in the area of the country known for its UFO sightings, conspiracy theories abound, and there were rumours that Richard Williams decides who wins and loses when the two of them play, and in this case was making an easy path for Serena. The theory was largely believed and when Serena walked out to play the final she was heavily booed. Serena’s father then stated that to go along with this malicious booing he was also on the receiving end of racial slurs from the crowd. On this basis the Williams Sisters boycotted the tournament for 14 years.
Serena returned last year and is the favourite for the 2016 tournament with betting tipsters and Venus is back for the first time since the incident. This boycott was complicated not just for tournament organisers, but for tour marketing. The Williams sisters denied their contractual obligations and refused to promote the tournament. The WTA decided to allow this and luckily avoided any further controversy.
Racism aside, the Indian Wells Tournament is a tremendous show of the sport’s popularity. Interest in the Grand Slams is expected, but other tournaments have to fight for every person through the door. In Indian Wells’ case it boasts the most spectators outside of the Grand Slams with 450,000 visitors during the 8-day event! This incredible show proves that tennis can attract people out of the Slams. The fact that the Indian Wells Tennis Garden has the second biggest Tennis stadium in the world, means that there aren’t so many disappointing views that you may find at smaller places.
Indian Wells is a tremendous start to the Tennis season and with both Williams’ sisters finally back, it can finally hold its head high once again. As long as Nick Kyrgios doesn’t ruin it…
