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Serena and the story of Indian Wells in 2001
Updated
8:18 AM EDT, Wed March 18, 2015
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Serena Williams, left, won the Indian Wells tennis tournament in 2001 by beating Kim Clijsters. But that was only half the story...
JOHN MABANGLO/AFP/Getty Images
Williams was booed by fans in the final. She grew up not far away in a suburb of Los Angeles.
Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport
Williams' dad, Richard, and older sister, Venus, were booed when they made their way to their seats. Richard Williams said he was racially abused.
MIKE NELSON/AFP/Getty Images
Despite the charged atmosphere, Serena Williams beat Clijsters in three sets to repeat as champion.
Adam Pretty/AUS /Allsport
Serena Williams exchanged a hug with her dad after the final. Richard Williams shaped the careers of his two grand slam winning daughters from humble beginnings.
Jed Jacobsohn/ALLSPORT
But the incident took a toll on Serena Williams and her family. She boycotted Indian Wells until this year.
PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images
In her first match in Indian Wells in 14 years, Serena played Monica Niculescu.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
But Richard Williams and Venus Williams are continuing to boycott the tournament, according to a tournament official.