( CNN ) History has repeated itself at Indian Wells with the surprise withdrawal of Serena Williams from the semifinal due to a knee injury . Williams ' withdrawal comes 14 years after her sister Venus pulled out minutes before the semifinal in 2001 -- also with a knee injury -- a move which led to a tournament boycott , amid claims of racism , that only ended this year . Williams had been due to play Romanian Simona Halep on Friday night , but instead posted news of her withdrawal on Instagram . `` Four months ago I began a journey to play Indian Wells and it was amazing . I never dreamed I could do it . But I would not have been able to do this without my fans . Though it ended early due to injury this year , I have to say I can not wait to try again next year . Thanks everyone . I love you so much ! '' Williams posted . Back in 2001 , crowds booed a young Serena as she took on Belgian Kim Clijsters in the final of the competition now known as the BNP Paribas Open . Despite being on home soil , spectators backed Clijsters in scenes former tennis champion and broadcaster Pam Shriver said were difficult to watch . `` You would expect the crowd to be so supportive of the U.S. player , so it clearly was the exact opposite . Because she was American , because she was so young , because she was African-American , predominantly white audience . It was tough , it was tough to listen to , '' Shriver told CNN 's Open Court . Shriver watched as spectators booed Serena 's father Richard and sister Venus , as they walked down the steps to take their seats for the match . `` That 's when we realized this crowd is still really upset by what happened in the semifinals , '' Shriver said . Minutes before the highly-anticipated semifinal between the two sisters , Venus pulled out due to a knee injury . Her withdrawal seemed to add credence to rumors , which the family denies , that the result of the match had been pre-determined by their father , who kept a tight control on his daughters ' careers . Despite the booing , Williams beat Clijsters to take the title . But the issue did not end there . Days later , Richard Williams gave a press conference and said the booing amounted to racial abuse , Bill Dwyre , who covered the match for L.A. Times told Open Court . `` Richard Williams had said that the n-word had been used and that the booing was racially motivated . ... that was the beginning of Serena never coming back . '' After 14 years of refusing to play at Indian Wells , Serena Williams , who with her sister has dominated the world rankings for more than a decade , said that she was `` following her heart '' by deciding to rejoin the tournament . `` In order to forgive you have to be able to really let go of everything , '' she told reporters at a pre-match news conference . Serena said she discussed it with her father in a `` really emotional '' conversation and he agreed . `` He said it would be a big mistake if I did n't go back and I thought that was really admirable , '' Williams said . Before the match , she told reporters that , by returning , she felt like she 'd already won . `` I do n't think I need to hold the trophy at the end of it . I feel like I 'm already holding the trophy . I 've never felt that way before , '' she said . `` Just being here is a huge win not only for me but for so many people and it 's a wonderful feeling . '' Williams ' early exit gives Halep a free pass to the final .
Serena ##dick pulls out of contention due to knee injury . Sister Venus did the same before 14-year hiatus . Williams returned to the tournament for first time since 2001 .