The Williams Sisters and Indian Wells - DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate

**HawksBurnDown** · 11-03-2009, 05:10 PM

What happened at Indian Wells?

The controversy surrounding Venus and Serena Williams' decision not to play at Indian Wells has been composed of rumors, conjecture, and confusing comments about racism and match fixing. Joel Drucker, who covered the tournament for Tennis Week in 2001, recounts the events from eight years ago that caused two of tennis' biggest stars to skip this significant tournament.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/ten...oel&id=3952939

**Flikemommoilt** · 11-03-2009, 05:23 PM

That article could have used a good editor. Let me give this a try.

::

Joel Drucker, Special to ESPN

What Happened at Indian Wells?

The Williams family imagined the whole thing.

And under the new rules, I hope they're suspended.

--Joel Drucker

**verybigf** · 11-03-2009, 05:51 PM

That article could have used a good editor. Let me give this a try.

::

Joel Drucker, Special to ESPN

What Happened at Indian Wells?

The Williams family imagined the whole thing.

And under the new rules, I hope they're suspended.

--Joel Drucker

LOL why am I not surprised! I keep hearing it's all the WS fault the whole IW thing is in their imagination and they should forgive, forget and go back and play. Yet not once have I heard, hey there may have been something we the Tournament Organisers could have done. Like refuse to play the match unless the crowd (which I doubt was the whole crowd) calm down and respect the player (Serena) and her sister and father.

Or if that did not happen then we apologise for it and hope they come back. IW has stopped displaying Serena's banner as a past champion yet you hardly ever hear about this in the articles (Or so I have read). Funny thing is IW is not the only place the sisters-one or the others or both have been booed and or rooted against (RG anyone, match against Justine) so even if they are putting to much emphasis on what happened at IW with the crowd, I think something more must have happened to make them take such a stance.

They keep harping that IW will survive without them and they are right, nobody is indispensible. Then why then can't these people just let it go?!

Foxy

**DoterForeva** · 11-03-2009, 05:58 PM

IW has stopped displaying Serena's banner as a past champion? OMG!

**nretdjuend** · 11-03-2009, 05:58 PM

They keep harping that IW will survive without them and they are right, nobody is indispensible. Then why then can't these people just let it go?!

Foxy

Fully agree Foxy. Venus and Serena have made it clear they aren't returning. And Indian Wells is the best attended (in terms of spectators) event in tennis outside of the Slams, with pretty much everyone in the game in the draw, so they don't need the Sisters. Why this argument is renewed every year, I don't understand.

**nretdjuend** · 11-03-2009, 06:00 PM

IW has stopped displaying Serena's banner as a past champion yet you hardly ever hear about this in the article.

Foxy

IW has stopped displaying Serena's banner as a past champion? OMG!

Yeah, I found that really surprising as well. That's something I'll look for on Friday.

**Automobill** · 11-03-2009, 06:06 PM

Why can't both the tournament and the sisters let it go? It's been long enough. I bet the sisters would receive huge ovations from the crowd at IW.

**verybigf** · 11-03-2009, 06:06 PM

IW has stopped displaying Serena's banner as a past champion? OMG!

I have edited my post to say "Or so I have read" since I have never been to IW and don't have first hand knowledge of this, I don't want to say it with certainty.

Fully agree Foxy. Venus and Serena have made it clear they aren't returning. And Indian Wells is the best attended (in terms of spectators) event in tennis outside of the Slams, with pretty much everyone in the game in the draw, so they don't need the Sisters. Why this argument is renewed every year, I don't understand.

I honestly don't know. Some feel that the sisters are being given preferential treatment because of whatever compromise they have made with the tour. I read another article yesterday that said allowing them to compromise is wrong and they should be punished/penalize for missing IW.

I love the WS, but whatever happened at IW and their decision not to play does not affect how I feel about the tournament. I still watch it every year and enjoy it just the same and I will continue to watch it as long as I can.

Foxy

**erepsysoulptnw** · 11-03-2009, 06:07 PM

That article could have used a good editor. Let me give this a try.

::

Joel Drucker, Special to ESPN

What Happened at Indian Wells?

The Williams family imagined the whole thing.

And under the new rules, I hope they're suspended.

--Joel Drucker

I just read this. Good editing job Dry.

**nretdjuend** · 11-03-2009, 06:10 PM

I have edited my post to say "Or so I have read" since I have never been to IW and don't have first hand knowledge of this, I don't want to say it with certainty.
Foxy

To be honest, I'd be extremely surprised if it is not there. It's one thing them being at odds over what occurred. It's another thing entirely (and I would imagine a violation of ITF Rules) to remove a past champion's banner, unless for a specific reason like taking away a title for a failed drug test.

**verybigf** · 11-03-2009, 06:11 PM

Yeah, I found that really surprising as well. That's something I'll look for on Friday.

Thanks Moose. I have read it several times on another forum and have not mentioned it before since I had no proof. I guess I got a little heated in my response. Would appreciate that confirmation.

Foxy

**DoterForeva** · 11-03-2009, 06:34 PM

The only thing that Drucker's timeline caused me to think about is the 9 day delay before an article mentioning the fact racist comments were made. But, this is his edit. Not mine. All I know is having watched it unfold on tv that day, I was appalled by the crowd.

**erepsysoulptnw** · 11-03-2009, 06:41 PM

The only thing that Drucker's timeline caused me to think about is the 9 day delay before an article mentioning the fact racist comments were made. But, this is his edit. Not mine. All I know is having watched it unfold on tv that day, I was appalled by the crowd.

I saw it too. If Drucker thinks the Williams made this up he needs to put the pipe down.

**Tapupah** · 11-03-2009, 06:42 PM

Why can't both the tournament and the sisters let it go? It's been long enough. I bet the sisters would receive huge ovations from the crowd at IW.

I agree with this on every count. It's time to let it go and I'm certain the crowd would appreciate the sisters there more than ever.

**rowneigerie** · 11-03-2009, 06:53 PM

I enjoyed IW last year and love the tournament, but I believe that they shouldn't be required to go. Whether any racial slurs were said or not, the way they were treated that day wasn't right. I understand the crowd being upset about Venus withdrawing, and Elena's comments only fueled the fire, but the umpire or whomever should have said something to tell them to stop. Whether it's true that they heard racist comments or not, the tournament and everyone else should just let it go.

**Sniliabiz** · 11-03-2009, 06:57 PM

I thought the funniest part of the article was Elena saying that she had been kidding earlier about Richard fixing up the matches. Right, Elena.

**rowneigerie** · 11-03-2009, 07:00 PM

I thought the funniest part of the article was Elena saying that she had been kidding earlier about Richard fixing up the matches. Right, Elena.

LOL My thoughts exactly.

**Flikemommoilt** · 11-03-2009, 07:06 PM

I enjoyed IW last year and love the tournament, but I believe that they shouldn't be required to go. Whether any racial slurs were said or not, the way they were treated that day wasn't right. I understand the crowd being upset about Venus withdrawing, and Elena's comments only fueled the fire, but the umpire or whomever should have said something to tell them to stop. Whether it's true that they heard racist comments or not, the tournament and everyone else should just let it go.

It couldn't matter to me any less whether racist comments were made or not. Though that would make Richard, and Venus to some degree, a liar. But you don't have to scream the "n" word at folks to make it abundantly clear that, for at least some in the audience, there were serious, racist undertones to their actions on that day.

**inmeirulez** · 11-03-2009, 07:21 PM

Remember when Serena had that racist heckler in Miami who she had ejected? She keeps going back there...

**HawksBurnDown** · 11-03-2009, 07:26 PM

Seems to me Richard steered this ship when they were younger and now it's just become this circle the wagon thing. Kind of no win for anyone.

11-03-2009, 05:10 PM	#1
HawksBurnDown Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 695 Senior Member	The Williams Sisters and Indian Wells What happened at Indian Wells? The controversy surrounding Venus and Serena Williams' decision not to play at Indian Wells has been composed of rumors, conjecture, and confusing comments about racism and match fixing. Joel Drucker, who covered the tournament for Tennis Week in 2001, recounts the events from eight years ago that caused two of tennis' biggest stars to skip this significant tournament. http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/ten...oel&id=3952939 Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

11-03-2009, 05:23 PM	#2
Flikemommoilt Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 443 Senior Member	That article could have used a good editor. Let me give this a try. :: Joel Drucker, Special to ESPN What Happened at Indian Wells? The Williams family imagined the whole thing. And under the new rules, I hope they're suspended. --Joel Drucker Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

11-03-2009, 05:51 PM	#3
verybigf Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 572 Senior Member	That article could have used a good editor. Let me give this a try. :: Joel Drucker, Special to ESPN What Happened at Indian Wells? The Williams family imagined the whole thing. And under the new rules, I hope they're suspended. --Joel Drucker LOL why am I not surprised! I keep hearing it's all the WS fault the whole IW thing is in their imagination and they should forgive, forget and go back and play. Yet not once have I heard, hey there may have been something we the Tournament Organisers could have done. Like refuse to play the match unless the crowd (which I doubt was the whole crowd) calm down and respect the player (Serena) and her sister and father. Or if that did not happen then we apologise for it and hope they come back. IW has stopped displaying Serena's banner as a past champion yet you hardly ever hear about this in the articles (Or so I have read). Funny thing is IW is not the only place the sisters-one or the others or both have been booed and or rooted against (RG anyone, match against Justine) so even if they are putting to much emphasis on what happened at IW with the crowd, I think something more must have happened to make them take such a stance. They keep harping that IW will survive without them and they are right, nobody is indispensible. Then why then can't these people just let it go?! Foxy Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

11-03-2009, 05:58 PM	#4
DoterForeva Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 463 Senior Member	IW has stopped displaying Serena's banner as a past champion? OMG! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

11-03-2009, 05:58 PM	#5
nretdjuend Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 497 Senior Member	They keep harping that IW will survive without them and they are right, nobody is indispensible. Then why then can't these people just let it go?! Foxy Fully agree Foxy. Venus and Serena have made it clear they aren't returning. And Indian Wells is the best attended (in terms of spectators) event in tennis outside of the Slams, with pretty much everyone in the game in the draw, so they don't need the Sisters. Why this argument is renewed every year, I don't understand. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

11-03-2009, 06:00 PM	#6
nretdjuend Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 497 Senior Member	IW has stopped displaying Serena's banner as a past champion yet you hardly ever hear about this in the article. Foxy IW has stopped displaying Serena's banner as a past champion? OMG! Yeah, I found that really surprising as well. That's something I'll look for on Friday. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

11-03-2009, 06:06 PM	#7
Automobill Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 632 Senior Member	Why can't both the tournament and the sisters let it go? It's been long enough. I bet the sisters would receive huge ovations from the crowd at IW. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

11-03-2009, 06:07 PM	#9
erepsysoulptnw Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 503 Senior Member	That article could have used a good editor. Let me give this a try. :: Joel Drucker, Special to ESPN What Happened at Indian Wells? The Williams family imagined the whole thing. And under the new rules, I hope they're suspended. --Joel Drucker I just read this. Good editing job Dry. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

11-03-2009, 06:10 PM	#10
nretdjuend Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 497 Senior Member	I have edited my post to say "Or so I have read" since I have never been to IW and don't have first hand knowledge of this, I don't want to say it with certainty. Foxy To be honest, I'd be extremely surprised if it is not there. It's one thing them being at odds over what occurred. It's another thing entirely (and I would imagine a violation of ITF Rules) to remove a past champion's banner, unless for a specific reason like taking away a title for a failed drug test. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

11-03-2009, 06:11 PM	#11
verybigf Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 572 Senior Member	Yeah, I found that really surprising as well. That's something I'll look for on Friday. Thanks Moose. I have read it several times on another forum and have not mentioned it before since I had no proof. I guess I got a little heated in my response. Would appreciate that confirmation. Foxy Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

11-03-2009, 06:34 PM	#12
DoterForeva Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 463 Senior Member	The only thing that Drucker's timeline caused me to think about is the 9 day delay before an article mentioning the fact racist comments were made. But, this is his edit. Not mine. All I know is having watched it unfold on tv that day, I was appalled by the crowd. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

11-03-2009, 06:41 PM	#13
erepsysoulptnw Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 503 Senior Member	The only thing that Drucker's timeline caused me to think about is the 9 day delay before an article mentioning the fact racist comments were made. But, this is his edit. Not mine. All I know is having watched it unfold on tv that day, I was appalled by the crowd. I saw it too. If Drucker thinks the Williams made this up he needs to put the pipe down. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

11-03-2009, 06:42 PM	#14
Tapupah Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 474 Senior Member	Why can't both the tournament and the sisters let it go? It's been long enough. I bet the sisters would receive huge ovations from the crowd at IW. I agree with this on every count. It's time to let it go and I'm certain the crowd would appreciate the sisters there more than ever. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

11-03-2009, 06:53 PM	#15
rowneigerie Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 542 Senior Member	I enjoyed IW last year and love the tournament, but I believe that they shouldn't be required to go. Whether any racial slurs were said or not, the way they were treated that day wasn't right. I understand the crowd being upset about Venus withdrawing, and Elena's comments only fueled the fire, but the umpire or whomever should have said something to tell them to stop. Whether it's true that they heard racist comments or not, the tournament and everyone else should just let it go. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

11-03-2009, 06:57 PM	#16
Sniliabiz Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 415 Senior Member	I thought the funniest part of the article was Elena saying that she had been kidding earlier about Richard fixing up the matches. Right, Elena. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

11-03-2009, 07:00 PM	#17
rowneigerie Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 542 Senior Member	I thought the funniest part of the article was Elena saying that she had been kidding earlier about Richard fixing up the matches. Right, Elena. LOL My thoughts exactly. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

11-03-2009, 07:06 PM	#18
Flikemommoilt Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 443 Senior Member	I enjoyed IW last year and love the tournament, but I believe that they shouldn't be required to go. Whether any racial slurs were said or not, the way they were treated that day wasn't right. I understand the crowd being upset about Venus withdrawing, and Elena's comments only fueled the fire, but the umpire or whomever should have said something to tell them to stop. Whether it's true that they heard racist comments or not, the tournament and everyone else should just let it go. It couldn't matter to me any less whether racist comments were made or not. Though that would make Richard, and Venus to some degree, a liar. But you don't have to scream the "n" word at folks to make it abundantly clear that, for at least some in the audience, there were serious, racist undertones to their actions on that day. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

11-03-2009, 07:21 PM	#19
inmeirulez Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 489 Senior Member	Remember when Serena had that racist heckler in Miami who she had ejected? She keeps going back there... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

11-03-2009, 07:26 PM	#20
HawksBurnDown Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 695 Senior Member	Seems to me Richard steered this ship when they were younger and now it's just become this circle the wagon thing. Kind of no win for anyone. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote