SERENA WILLIAMS RETURNING TO INDIAN WELLS, MARDY FISH WINS FIRST MATCH IN DALLAS & MORE TENNIS NEWS

Written by: Staff on 5th February 2015

SERENA WILLIAMS RETURNING TO INDIAN WELLS, MARDY FISH WINS FIRST MATCH IN DALLAS & MORE TENNIS NEWS

epa04596663 Serena Williams of the USA returns the ball to Maria Sharapova of Russia during their women's singles final match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, 31 January 2015. EPA/LUKAS COCH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

Serena returning to Indian Wells, Fish wins first match in Dallas

By Ricky Dimon

Mardy Fish of the US follows through with forehand shot against Gilles Simon of France during their match on the sixth day of the 2012 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 01 September 2012. The US Open runs through 09 September 2012. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO

Mardy Fish, who has been out of action since the summer of 2013, returned to competitive tennis on Wednesday at the Dallas Challenger. Fish teamed up with Mark Knowles to beat No. 1 seeds James Cerretani and James Cluskey 6-4, 7-5.

“For sure,” Fish said when asked if there were nerves. “I felt it in the beginning. It’s been 20 months. It’s been a while. But it’s nice to play some doubles here with Mark.”

The 33-year-old American is playing only doubles this week, but he will make a return to the singles court next month at the BNP Paribas Open.

Indian Wells will be the site of significant developments on both tours. In addition to Fish’s comeback, Serena Williams is returning to the event for the first time since 2001. Serena won the title that year but vowed never to come back after feeling the brunt of harsh treatment from fans.

At last, however, she has changed her mind.

Serena Williams of the USA reacts during her women’s singles final match against Maria Sharapova of Russia at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, 31 January 2015. EPA/LUKAS COCH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

“Thirteen years and a lifetime in tennis later, things feel different,” Serena wrote in an exclusive piece for Time Magazine. “A few months ago, when Russian official Shamil Tarpischev made racist and sexist remarks about Venus and me, the WTA and USTA immediately condemned him. It reminded me how far the sport has come, and how far I’ve come too.

“I have thought about going back to Indian Wells many times over my career. I said a few times that I would never play there again. And believe me, I meant it. I admit it scared me. What if I walked onto the court and the entire crowd booed me? The nightmare would start all over.

“…I’m fortunate to be at a point in my career where I have nothing to prove. I’m still as driven as ever, but the ride is a little easier. I play for the love of the game. And it is with that love in mind, and a new understanding of the true meaning of forgiveness, that I will proudly return to Indian Wells in 2015.”

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: Indian Wells, Mardy Fish, Serena Williams, Tennis

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10sBalls_com says:

February 5, 2015 at 11:01 am

-@serenawilliams RETURNING TO #IndianWells, @MardyFish WINS FIRST MATCH IN DALLAS & MORE #TENNIS NEWS http://t.co/CeqvkaZcQv #BNPParibasOpen