Serena and Venus Williams to compete at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS —  Serena Williams will be joined by big sister Venus in the women’s field for the BNP Paribas Open in March, a year after Serena returned to the desert tournament in an end to her 14-year boycott.

Entry lists for the two-week tournament were released Wednesday, with world No. 1 Serena Williams leading the women’s field and men’s No. 1 Novak Djokovic heading the men’s draw. Djokovic has won the event four times, including last year.

After being warmly welcomed back last year, Serena withdrew shortly before her semifinal, citing a knee injury. It was the same circumstances under which Venus withdrew about 20 minutes before her semifinal against Serena in the 2001 event. That angered the crowd, which heavily booed Serena during the title match, which she won. Serena, then 19, was so upset she refused to play in the desert again until last year.

Venus Williams hasn’t played Indian Wells since 2001.

Also in the women’s field are Simona Halep, Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka, Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic and Caroline Wozniacki.

Among those joining Djokovic on the men’s side are four-time tourney champion Roger Federer, three-time champ Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka.

The event runs March 7-20.