Sports

Serena Williams Grinds out Victory in Indian Wells Return

Published

11 years ago

March 14, 2015

Tennis fans hold a sign for Serena Williams as they wait for her to pass by before she faces Monica Niculescu, of Romania, in their match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Friday, March 13, 2015, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Beth Harris, ASSOCIATED PRESS

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Serena Williams was a mess playing her first match at Indian Wells in 14 years. Her game was erratic and her emotions were off the charts in response to a warm welcome from the fans, a sharp contrast to the booing that drove her away as a teenager.

Williams defeated Monica Niculescu 7-5, 7-5 Friday night in a wildly inconsistent performance that included 48 unforced errors and 12 aces.

Williams rallied from a 5-3 deficit in the first set and recovered after blowing three leads in the second set, finally winning on her fourth match point in her first tournament since earning her 19th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January.

“I feel like the nerves have kind of gone away,” she said. “I’m glad I was able to do this. It definitely feels like one of the biggest and one of the proudest moments of my career.”

A serious-looking Williams walked onto the court wearing headphones, then slipped them off and raised her right arm to acknowledge the sustained applause as she was introduced.

“But up until that moment I didn’t really know if it was the right thing for me to do. I feel like that’s when I felt it was the right thing,” she said. “And receiving the love from the crowd here, it really meant a lot to me.”

The world’s top-ranked women’s player had stayed away from the BNP Paribas Open since winning the 2001 title as a 19-year-old, getting booed by the fans for what happened a day earlier, when she was to play older sister Venus in a semifinal and Venus withdrew because of injury 20 minutes before the start.

A young black girl waved a sign reading “Straight Outta Compton,” the Los Angeles suburb where the Williams sisters first learned tennis from father Richard.

“I feel like I’ve already won this tournament. I don’t feel like I have to actually hold the trophy at the end of this,” Williams said. “I feel like I’m already holding up a trophy. I have never felt that way before. Just being here is a huge win. Not only for me, but for so many people. It’s a wonderful feeling.”

Williams closed out the 2-hour match when Niculescu netted a backhand volley. After a quick handshake, Williams waved to the crowd, but there was none of the jumping and pirouetting that often marks her victories.

“We love you, Serena!” a male fan bellowed during the coin toss at the net. Billionaire Larry Ellison, who owns the tournament, was on his feet applauding Williams as she jogged to the baseline near his seat for the warmup. He was later joined by John McEnroe and billionaire Bill Gates.

Niculescu, ranked 68th in the world, was affected by the reception, too.

“I’m happy the crowd was really nice,” she said.

Williams had played just one Fed Cup match since winning in Australia and her rustiness showed. On her third match point, she netted a backhand return of Niculescu’s 79-mph serve. She had two match points on Niculescu’s serve in the 10th game, committing unforced errors both times, including a backhand she had plenty of time to make.

Williams’ mother Oracene, sister Isha, her coach and agent watched as Williams fell behind 2-0 in the opening set of the second-round match.

Niculescu used her wicked topspin to blunt Williams’ power game, taking a 5-3 lead. Williams held at love before winning the last two games to take the first set, in which there were five service breaks. Williams double-faulted away one game before serving out another at love.

“I’ve never played anyone like her before. She’s obviously an unbelievable fighter,” Williams said. “She really made me work really hard. It was good to have a really, really tough match.”

A small group of fans waited near an entrance gate in the hours beforehand, with one holding a hand-lettered sign that read “Welcome back Serena.”

Williams is 15-1 with two titles to her credit in three previous appearances in the desert.

“Even though things were weird and tough, I was able to do the work,” she said. “I’m just pleased about that.”

Williams’ match was one of 11 involving Americans, with six advancing and five losing.

Sloane Stephens upset 13th-seeded Angelique Kerber 7-6 (6), 6-2 in second-round play and Varvara Lepchenko defeated fellow American Sachia Vickery, 6-4, 6-1.

On the men’s side, Donald Young, Steve Johnson and Jack Sock advanced to the second round.

Williams’ return was welcomed by tournament officials, although the event had hardly stagnated in her absence. It is one of the best attended outside of the four Grand Slam events, with close to 450,000 expected through the gates during the two weeks.

Venus Williams hasn’t changed her mind about boycotting Indian Wells. In 2001, Richard Williams said he heard racial taunts from the crowd, and there was speculation that he dictated which sister would win their meetings.

Now 33, Serena said it wasn’t one thing in particular that brought her back to the tournament that she had vowed she would never play again.

“Everyone in general has come a really long way,” she said. “Everyone, especially the WTA, USTA, they really step up to the plate. I really appreciate all the love, not just for me, but for a lot of other players that they show.”
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

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Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

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The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

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The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

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The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

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McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

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Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.