(MENAFN- Kora) The American world number one last played at the WTA Premier tournament in 2001, when she overcame Kim Clijsters in the decider
Serena entered the event but withdrew in February, continuing a boycott which began after sister Venus was booed when showing up to watch the 2001 final
Venus had pulled out of her scheduled semi-final against Serena just two days earlier, four minutes before it was due to begin
Serena's recent poor form has led to suggestions the 17-time singles grand slam winner is set to split with coach Patrick Mouratoglou
With Serena absent, the BNP Paribas Open should be an open affair, with several of the world's top 10 eyeing the title on the hard courts in California but few in top form
China's Li Na struggled in her first tournament since winning the Australian Open as she was knocked out in the third round in Doha early last month
Pole Agnieszka Radwanska and Russian Maria Sharapova have struggled for form this year, losing matches many would have expected them to win
Belarusian Victoria Azarenka is set to make her return from a foot injury at Indian Wells in her first appearance since the year's first grand slam
The event is wide open for players like German Angelique Kerber and Romanian Simona Halep to make their marks
Halep, however, has been battling an Achilles injury and it may be too much of a challenge for the world number seven
Sharapova is the defending champion, while Dane Caroline Wozniacki has a good record at the event
Wozniacki won the title in 2011 and is a two-time runner-up, also reaching the final in 2010 and last year
Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova will be hoping to continue her hot form, having followed up her appearance in the Australian Open final by winning the title in Acapulco
At her best, Williams is consistently too hard to beat, but the event is wide open without her in the field
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