*You couldn’t even make this up.
Serena Williams has pulled out of the BNP Paribas at Indian Wells, in a way eerily similar to what led to the incident that has kept her away for the last 14 years.
She cited a right knee injury.
“I was just on the practice court two days ago, day and a half ago, yesterday, and everything was going good. Literally, last two couple minutes of practice I went for a serve and I just felt a sharp pain in my right knee … and it hasn’t not been the same since. … I even did an injection; I’ve never done an injection before. I just need a couple of days … there’s a lot of inflammation,” she said with a seeming air of relief regarding her decision.
It was the semifinal stage of the 2001 tournament in the desert, just moments before the match, that Venus Williams pulled out, setting up the historic chain of events that have hung over the tournament every since. The crowd was angry about the last minute withdrawal and cried foul – very loudly, feeling like the Williamses were attempting match fixing. The jeers and sneers that erupted as a result have reverberated down thru the years, only ending with this 2015 tournament, when Serena decided to “forgive” and return.
Now, that narrative takes another memorable twist as Serena made a, no doubt, hard decision to disappoint yet again, but felt the crowd would understand:
“I think both myself and the crowd have a great appreciation for each other, and I have really enjoyed my four matches here,” she said in her press conference.
To temper any backlash from the crown, the injured world No.1 came onto the court after the first semi to personally address her fans, reminiscent of a recent Roger Federer mea culpa. But it’s certain – as it was with Roger – the press and fans alike will have a field day with the ill-timed development.
Nevertheless, in what some might call another act of bravery (due to a potential repeat of 2001), she emerged from the tunnel and told the baffled crowd:
“I’m so excited to start to build new memories here. But, unfortunately I injured my leg in practice the other day and I fought through it, but this morning during practice, I could barely walk.”
The commentator wrapped her departing words and her cut-short time at the tournament in some flowery wording and saw her off. She graciously signed a few autographs, then disappeared into the tunnel.
There were some boos from high up in the stands during the announcement, but the on-court personality did a good job of quelling them through nervous, but effective chatter in the form of accolades for the 19-time Slam champion.
“She really did have an MRI and wish her a speedy and healthy recovery,” he said.
In the end, a professional athlete knows his or her own body and must listen to it to preserve its integrity. It’s the “money maker” that needs to be carefully shaken to produce long-term results. And with Serena Williams being both famous and infamous for marching to the beat of her own drum, she decides first, sticks with it and deals with the repercussions later. Her body said no, she listened and that’s that. Not the punctuation fans were hoping for, but …
Another extraordinary chapter for BNP Paribas and Indian Wells.
When asked if she’ll return next year, she said: “I think it’s going to be a must.”
Her would-be opponent, Simona Halep, earned a walkover to the finals and will face Jelena Jankovic of Serbia on Sunday.
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