March 10 (Reuters) – Organisers of the Indian Wells tennis tournament apologised to Venus Williams and her playing partner Leylah Fernandez after a clerical error ahead of the women’s doubles draw denied the wildcard duo the opportunity to compete.
Seven-times Grand Slam champion Williams, 45, was beaten in the opening round of the singles tournament by Diane Parry while Canada’s Fernandez lost to Katerina Siniakova in the second round.
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However, organisers said they had made an error and failed to certify the doubles wildcard entry of the pair ahead of the draw.