Serena and the story of Indian Wells in 2001 | CNN
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Serena and the story of Indian Wells in 2001
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.
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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.
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In her first match in Indian Wells in 14 years, Serena played Monica Niculescu.
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But Richard Williams and Venus Williams are continuing to boycott the tournament, according to a tournament official.