There was an eighth consecutive singles loss for seven-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one Venus Williams.
American Williams, 45, has not won since she became the second oldest woman to win a WTA Tour-level singles match by beating Peyton Stearns at the Washington Open last July.
Making her 10th appearance at Indian Wells, and first since 2024, the 554th-ranked Williams was beaten 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 by French world number 111 Diane Parry, who will play American 15th seed Madison Keys in the second round.
Williams, who has now experienced opening-round exits in her last five tournaments, felt the windy conditions in California played a part in the defeat.
“Today is not the kind of day that you want to assess. The conditions were impossible,” she said.
“Also, in my match in Austin the conditions were impossible. I have played the last two matches in very difficult conditions.”
