Venus Williams awarded Indian Wells wild card alongside Kvitova, Fonseca and Tien

Venus Williams is heading back to Indian Wells.

On Wednesday, the BNP Paribas Open announced the seven-time major singles champion as one of its four initial wild card selections.

Williams made her lone two appearances of 2024 at both Sunshine Double stops. She lost to Nao Hibino from a set up in the California desert before falling to Diana Shnaider in straight sets at the Miami Open.

The 44-year-old is currently ranked No. 974.

Petra Kvitova, who announced she would return from maternity leave earlier this month, also received a main draw spot. The two-time Wimbledon winner is expected to launch her comeback next week at the WTA 250 in Austin.

Kvitova has played Indian Wells on 12 occasions, reaching a third quarterfinal in her most recent appearance two years ago.

On the men’s side, teenage sensations Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien will look to continue making their mark at the first ATP Masters 1000 event of the season.

Fonseca, 18, recently captured his first ATP title in Buenos Aires—a run that vaulted the Brazilian into the Top 70. Fonseca has appeared at one 1000-level tournament before, winning his debut in Madrid last April over Alex Michelsen.

Tien, 19, valiantly ousted Daniil Medvedev in the second round of a late-night Australian Open thriller on his way to the round of 16. The current world No. 80 has never contested the main draw at a Masters 1000 tournament, having fallen in qualifying at 2023 Indian Wells and Miami.