Former World No. 1s Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki handed wild cards for 2024 BNP Paribas Open

The WTA 1000 event will take place from 3-17 March at the iconic Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Former World No. 1 and seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Williams will return to the desert for the first time since 2019, when she reached the quarterfinal. The 43-year old's illustrious career includes 49 WTA titles and four Olympic gold medals (Singles – 2000; Doubles – 2000, 2008, 2012). Williams has spent 11 weeks as the No. 1-ranked singles player in the world, along with eight weeks as the World No. 1 in doubles.

Wozniacki, the 2018 Australian Open and 2011 BNP Paribas Open champion, will return to Tennis Paradise for the first time since the 2019 tournament, following a three-year hiatus from Tour following the birth of her two children. In addition to her 2011 title run, Wozniacki also reached the final on two occasions (2010, 2013). She has spent a total of 71 weeks as the World No. 1, spanning 2010-2011 and again in 2018.

Wozniacki announced her comeback last summer and returned to competition at Montreal in August. She reached the fourth round at the 2023 US Open, a run which included a win over Top 20 player Petra Kvitova.

The remaining WTA and ATP Tour wild card recipients for the singles, doubles and qualifying draws will be announced in the coming weeks.

READ MORE: Coco Gauff knocked out of Qatar Open by unseeded Katerina Siniakova