In 2001, Serena and Venus Williams were scheduled to play each other in a much-anticipated semifinal at Indian Wells, the largest pro tennis tournament on the West Coast of the US not far from their hometown in southern California. Unfortunately, Venus withdrew just moments before their match, and the crowd was very disappointed and subsequently booed Serena in the final. Richard Williams also said he heard racially-charged comments towards the family.

It's been more than a decade, and the Williams' have maintained a boycott of the tournament ever since the incidient. But with both Venus and Serena possibly in the twilight of their careers, the chances for them to put to rest this incident are growing fewer.

Serena and Venus, please come back to Indian Wells this year, 2012. This is your chance to do something bigger than tennis, this is your chance to further the discussion of racism and racial tolerance in the United States and bring some good from the incident you endured.

Finally, we apologize on behalf of tennis fans around the world who were dismayed at the experience you went through.  Some in the crowd behaved poorly in 2001. But we are here to say what they did was not OK. We fully respect your decisions, regardless of whether you decide to play or not. But we sign this petition to express to Serena and Venus that we do cherish and value your talents, and want you to feel welcome back at Indian Wells.