๐ด VENUE
๐๏ธ
Indian Wells Tennis Garden
Indian Wells, CA ยท Est. 1974
16,100
Seats
29
Courts
504K
2025 Fans
$9.4M
Prize $$
Often called the "Fifth Grand Slam" โ more fans attend this than any non-Slam tournament on earth. Owned by Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison since 2009. The 16,100-seat Stadium 1 is the 2nd largest tennis-specific stadium on the planet. Set in the stunning Coachella Valley desert.
๐ฅ Drama: Serena Williams boycotted Indian Wells for 14 years (2001โ2015) after being booed off the court in 2001. She returned in 2015 to a standing ovation โ one of the most emotional moments in tennis history.
๐ World No. 1
๐ช๐ธCarlos Alcaraz
Spain ยท Age 22 ยท Seed #1
#1
5
Grand Slams
2ร
IW Champ
22
Age
ESP
Country
Born in El Palmar, Murcia โ trained by former US Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero. Became the youngest World No. 1 in ATP history at 19. Completed the career Grand Slam at the 2026 Australian Open at just 22, the 9th man ever. His explosive, all-court game is the most exciting in tennis today.
๐ธ Fun Fact: Alcaraz is a huge Real Madrid fan and plays guitar. He has a running public feud with Djokovic where both troll each other in press conferences โ the internet lives for it.
๐ฅ World No. 2
๐ฎ๐นJannik Sinner
Italy ยท Age 24 ยท Seed #2
#2
3
Grand Slams
0
IW Titles
24
Age
SF
Best IW
Former ski racing prodigy from the Italian Alps who switched to tennis at 13. Ice-cold mentality and machine-like precision made him World No. 1 in 2024. Missed Indian Wells 2025. Returns in 2026 for "unfinished business" โ he's never won here despite two semifinal appearances.
๐ Drama: Tested positive for a banned steroid in 2024 โ traced to his physio's contaminated cream. WADA challenged his clearance, creating months of global controversy before he was fully cleared.
๐ The GOAT
๐ท๐ธNovak Djokovic
Serbia ยท Age 38 ยท Seed #3
#3
24
Grand Slams
5ร
IW Champ
420+
Wks #1
38
Age
Statistically the greatest men's player ever: 24 Grand Slams, 420+ weeks at No. 1, 5 Indian Wells titles. At 38, stunned Sinner in the 2026 Australian Open semis. Hunting a record 6th Indian Wells title. His relationship with this crowd has always been complicated.
โ๏ธ Drama: Deported from Australia in 2022 over vaccine exemption issues โ a global saga lasting 2 weeks. Banned from the 2022 Australian Open. Came back and won two more. Classic Nole.
๐ฉ๐ช German Giant
๐ฉ๐ชAlexander Zverev
Germany ยท Age 28 ยท Seed #4
#4
1
Grand Slams
35+
ATP Titles
6'6"
Height
28
Age
The towering left-hander with one of the most lethal serves in tennis. Won 2021 French Open and 2020 Olympic Gold. Consistent top-5 force for years โ long seen as underperforming his talent at Slams until finally breaking through. A genuine contender every year at Indian Wells.
๐ Drama: Faced a highly publicized domestic abuse allegation from ex-girlfriend Olya Sharypova in 2020. An official inquiry ended without criminal charges, but it was one of tennis's most controversial off-court sagas.
๐บ๐ธ America's Future
๐บ๐ธBen Shelton
USA ยท Age 23 ยท Seed #5
#9
0
Grand Slams
Top 10
Ranking
23
Age
6'4"
Height
Left-handed powerhouse from Atlanta, son of former ATP pro Bryan Shelton. Booming serve, fearless attitude, electric energy. Won his first Masters 1000 at the 2025 Canadian Open. The Indian Wells crowd will go absolutely wild for him โ he's must-see entertainment.
๐ Fun Fact: His "hang up the phone" ace celebration โ miming hanging up on his opponent: "Your call is OVER" โ went viral worldwide. One of the most iconic celebration gestures in modern tennis. ๐
๐ 2022 IW Champ
๐บ๐ธTaylor Fritz
USA ยท Age 27 ยท Seed #6
#7
1
IW Title
2022
IW Champ
Top 10
Rank
27
Age
San Diego native who won Indian Wells in 2022 โ the first American man since Andre Agassi. Made the 2024 US Open final, the first American man in a Grand Slam final since Andy Roddick in 2009. Playing on near-home soil, the crowd here will be loud for him.
๐ธ Fun Fact: Fritz dated YouTube influencer Morgan Riddle, whose tennis lifestyle content brought a massive wave of younger fans to the sport. Their very public relationship and subsequent split was widely followed on social media.
๐ช The Punisher
๐บ๐ธTommy Paul
USA ยท Age 27 ยท Seed #8
#24
0
Grand Slams
SF
AO '23
10+
ATP Titles
27
Age
North Carolina native with an explosive forehand and big-match mentality. Close friends and rivals with Taylor Fritz โ their American rivalry adds fun storylines. Can beat anyone on a given day. Known for the driest, funniest press conferences on the entire tour.
๐ Fun Fact: Paul is a huge surfer โ the least "tennis robot" personality on the men's tour. His deadpan humor in press conferences is consistently the best entertainment at any tournament.
โก The Demon
๐ฆ๐บAlex de Minaur
Australia ยท Age 26 ยท Seed #7
#8
0
Grand Slams
QF
Best IW
Top 10
Rank
26
Age
One of the fastest players on tour โ a relentless retriever and never-say-die fighter. Face of Australian men's tennis, leading their Davis Cup team to glory multiple times. His fighting spirit makes him a crowd favourite everywhere he plays.
๐ Fun Fact: De Minaur is dating British tennis star Katie Boulter โ tennis's "it couple." They cheer each other on at tournaments and their social content together is absolutely adorable. ๐ฅฐ
๐ FAA
๐จ๐ฆFelix Auger-Aliassime
Canada ยท Age 24 ยท Seed #9
#12
0
Grand Slams
4
ATP 500s
6'4"
Height
24
Age
Montreal-born with Togolese heritage โ one of the most gifted players on tour. Massive serve, elite volleying, NBA-player build. Coached by his own father Sam from childhood. Peak FAA can beat literally anyone. Just needs to sustain brilliance for a full two weeks.
๐ Fun Fact: FAA is an NBA superfan and friends with several NBA players. He was such an elite multi-sport athlete growing up he could have gone pro in multiple sports. Tennis got the best deal.
๐ Wild Card
๐บ๐ธLearner Tien
USA ยท Age 19 ยท California Native
#50
19
Age
Cal
Home State
2024
ATP Debut
Rising
Status
The 19-year-old Californian is one of the most exciting young players anywhere in tennis. Playing on home soil with nothing to lose โ the crowd will be electric whenever he steps on court. His fearless, mature game beyond his years has already turned heads tour-wide.
๐ Fun Fact: Tien turned pro straight out of high school, skipping college tennis entirely. Beat top-50 players immediately in his first full season. Could he be America's next great champion?
๐ฎ๐น Il Magnifico
๐ฎ๐นLorenzo Musetti
Italy ยท Age 23 ยท Seed #10
#15
0
Grand Slams
WF
Wimbledon '24
๐ฅ
Paris Olympics
23
Age
The Florentine artist of the tennis court. His one-handed backhand may be the most beautiful shot in men's tennis today. Reached the Wimbledon final and won Olympic bronze in 2024. One of the most aesthetically gifted players the sport has ever produced.
๐จ Fun Fact: Musetti is passionate about art and fashion โ a true product of Florence's cultural heritage. One of the best-dressed players on tour and regularly references Italian art in interviews.
๐ World No. 1
๐ง๐พAryna Sabalenka
Belarus ยท Age 27 ยท Seed #1
#1
3
Grand Slams
0
IW Titles
F
Best IW
27
Age
The ferocious Belarusian powerhouse with one of the hardest forehands in women's tennis history. Three-time Grand Slam champion and reigning World No. 1. Plays ultra-aggressive tennis with zero fear. Indian Wells is one of the few major titles that has eluded her โ she's been to the final but never won it.
๐ฑ Fun Fact: Sabalenka is a passionate cat mom โ her cats are Instagram famous. She's also known for her legendarily loud grunting on court that fans say can be heard from the parking lot. ๐
๐ฅ Former No. 1
๐ต๐ฑIga ลwiฤ
tek
Poland ยท Age 24 ยท Seed #2
#2
5
Grand Slams
2ร
IW Champ
250+
Wks #1
24
Age
Poland's greatest-ever athlete. Dominated women's tennis for 4 years with 5 Grand Slams and 250+ weeks at No. 1. Won Indian Wells twice. Her topspin game and mental resilience are legendary. Now chasing Sabalenka's top ranking in their defining rivalry.
๐ Fun Fact: Swiatek is obsessed with octopuses and collects octopus toys. Also tested positive for a banned substance in 2024 โ traced to contaminated melatonin. Suspended one month, cleared, returned. Big drama.
๐ 2023 IW Champ
๐ฐ๐ฟElena Rybakina
Kazakhstan ยท Age 26 ยท Seed #5
#5
2
Grand Slams
2023
IW Title
6'0"
Height
26
Age
The 6'0" Kazakh powerhouse with arguably the fastest serve in women's tennis. Won Wimbledon 2022 and Indian Wells 2023. Took another Grand Slam at the 2026 Australian Open. Her flat, powerful hitting loves the fast desert hard courts โ a top favourite here every year.
๐ Drama: Born and trained in Russia, but Kazakhstan funded her development. When Wimbledon banned Russian players in 2022, Rybakina was allowed to play โ and WON. The geopolitical subplot fascinated the entire tennis world.
โญ American Star
๐บ๐ธCoco Gauff
USA ยท Age 21 ยท Seed #3
#3
2
Grand Slams
0
IW Titles
21
Age
Top 3
Rank
The face of American tennis. Burst onto the scene at Wimbledon 2019 as a 15-year-old qualifier and immediately beat Venus Williams. Since then: 2 Grand Slams, multiple finals, global stardom. At 21 already a legend in progress โ and absolutely electric to watch live.
โ Fun Fact: At just 14 years old Gauff gave a powerful public speech at a March for Our Lives gun violence protest. She's used her platform for social justice throughout her career โ one of sport's most compelling voices. ๐ค
๐ช Comeback Story
๐บ๐ธAmanda Anisimova
USA ยท Age 23 ยท Seed #6
#6
0
Grand Slams
#3
Career High
2025
Comeback
23
Age
One of tennis's most inspiring stories. Stepped away from the tour in 2022โ2023 to focus on mental health. Returned in 2024 with renewed joy, rocketed back to World No. 3 by January 2026. Her powerful flat hitting is built perfectly for Indian Wells hardcourts.
๐ Heartbreaking Story: Her father and coach Konstantin passed away from a heart attack during the 2019 French Open while Amanda was mid-tournament. She somehow made the semifinals. Channels that grief every day. One of sport's most powerful stories.
๐ Defending Champ
๐ท๐บMirra Andreeva
Russia ยท Age 18 ยท Seed #8
#7
0
Grand Slams
2025
IW Title
17
Age at Win
Top 10
Current
Stunned the world by winning Indian Wells at just 17 in 2025 โ the youngest champion since Serena Williams in 1999. Defeated BOTH Swiatek AND Sabalenka on the way to the title. Overnight global star. Returns as defending champion with the whole world watching.
๐ฏ Fun Fact: Mirra's older sister Erika Andreeva is ALSO a professional WTA player! Like Russia's Williams sisters โ they play doubles together and cheer each other on. Tennis's most heartwarming sibling duo.
๐ The Billionaire
๐บ๐ธJessica Pegula
USA ยท Age 31 ยท Seed #4
#4
0
Grand Slams
Top 5
Career High
QF+
Slam Results
31
Age
Buffalo Bills and Sabres heiress โ and legitimately one of the top-5 tennis players on the planet. Her family paid $1.4B for the Bills. She could have lived a life of pure luxury. Instead she grinds the tour every week and has the results to back it up completely.
๐ Fun Fact: The Pegulas are one of the wealthiest families in professional sport. Jessica is genuinely involved in the Bills franchise AND plays world-class tennis full time. She insists on being judged purely on her tennis โ and absolutely deserves it.
๐ฅ Olympic Gold
๐ฎ๐นJasmine Paolini
Italy ยท Age 29 ยท Seed #5
#5
0
Grand Slams
๐ฅ
Paris Gold
2ร
Slam Finals
29
Age
Italy's golden girl. At 5'4" in a world of power players, she outsmarts and outfights everyone with speed and willpower. In 2024 she reached the finals of Roland Garros AND Wimbledon โ then won Olympic Gold at Paris. First player ever to do all three in one calendar year.
๐ญ Fun Fact: Paolini is known as one of the most positive, enthusiastic players on the WTA tour โ big fist pumps and genuine joy even for points she loses. Her press conferences are consistently the most fun of any tournament.
๐ถ Mother Champion
๐จ๐ญBelinda Bencic
Switzerland ยท Age 28 ยท Seed #9
#9
0
Grand Slams
๐ฅ
Tokyo Gold
2024
Return Yr
28
Age
Olympic Gold medalist at Tokyo 2021 and Swiss national hero. Took a full year off in 2023 to have baby daughter Bella โ then came back to professional tennis and made it back to the top 10 as a mother. One of the most inspiring returns in the history of women's sports.
๐ผ Fun Fact: Bencic became the first defending Olympic champion to return to elite tennis as a mother and reach the top 10 within a year. She says motherhood gave her a whole new sense of freedom and joy on court.
๐บ๐ฆ Ukraine's Warrior
๐บ๐ฆElina Svitolina
Ukraine ยท Age 30 ยท Seed #10
#10
0
Grand Slams
2ร
IW Titles
2017
Prev #3
30
Age
Two-time Indian Wells champion and one of sport's most admired figures. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, she has refused to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents and donated prize money to Ukrainian relief. Married to Gaรซl Monfils. Back in the top 10 after maternity leave. Her IW pedigree makes her genuinely dangerous.
๐๐ Story: Svitolina became the face of athlete-activism for Ukraine โ wearing the colors on court, speaking at every tournament. "I play for my country," she said at Wimbledon as the crowd gave her a standing ovation. One of sport's most powerful stories.
Tap any card to expand ยท Rankings approximate as of Feb 2026
Friday, March 13 โ Your Day!
Day 10 of the main draw โ expect Quarterfinals or Semifinals for both Men's and Women's singles. Two sessions: 11 AM (Day) and 6 PM (Night) on Stadium 1. The biggest names fighting for a spot in the weekend finals.
โ๏ธ DAY SESSION ยท 11:00 AM
11:00 AM
Stadium 1
Women's Semifinals (projected)
๐ง๐พ Sabalenka
VS
๐บ๐ฆ Svitolina
๐ฅ Must Watch
~1:00 PM
Stadium 1
Men's Quarterfinals (projected)
๐ช๐ธ Alcaraz
VS
๐ฆ๐บ de Minaur
โก QF
~2:30 PM
Stadium 2
Women's Semifinals (projected)
๐ต๐ฑ ลwiฤ
tek
VS
๐ท๐บ Andreeva
๐ SF
๐ NIGHT SESSION ยท 6:00 PM
6:00 PM
Stadium 1
Men's Quarterfinals (projected)
๐ท๐ธ Djokovic
VS
๐ฎ๐น Sinner
๐ฅ Must Watch
~8:00 PM
Stadium 1
Men's Quarterfinals (projected)
๐ฉ๐ช Zverev
VS
๐บ๐ธ Fritz
๐ Home Crowd
โ ๏ธ Note: Exact matchups depend on earlier round results (draw released ~March 3). Times are approximate โ check bnpparibasopen.com the week of March 13 for the official order of play.
๐ก DAY TIPS FOR MARCH 13
๐๏ธ Sessions
Day runs ~11AMโ5PM, Night from ~6PM. Both feature Stadium 1 matches. Upgrade seats if you can!๐ก๏ธ Weather
Mid-March Coachella Valley: 75โ85ยฐF daytime, ~60ยฐF evenings. Sunscreen + hat + light jacket for night.๐ธ Best Views
Arrive early for Stadium 1 warmups โ players warm up 30โ45 min before their match. Side courts 3โ15 are free with any ticket.๐ Food Tip
Use the 5โ6 PM gap between sessions to eat โ lines are much shorter then. Don't miss the fish tacos!๐ด
Indian Wells Tennis Garden
Located in the heart of the Coachella Valley โ widely considered the most beautiful setting in professional tennis. You're in for a treat, Morgan!
16,100
Stadium Seats
29
Courts
504K+
2025 Fans
$9.4M
Prize Money
2nd
Largest Tennis Stadium
๐ Getting There
- 78-200 Miles Ave, Indian Wells, CA 92210
- ~25 min from Palm Springs Airport (PSP)
- ~2 hrs from LA ยท ~2.5 hrs from San Diego
- Preferred parking sold separately โ buy online
- Rideshare drop-off zone on Miles Ave
- Park & Ride shuttles from overflow lots
๐๏ธ Gate & Entry
- Gates open 2 hours before first match
- Stadium 1 fills fast โ arrive early!
- Outside courts (3โ10) free with any ticket
- No re-entry once you leave the grounds
- App-based tickets โ download BNP app first
- Clear bags recommended for faster security
๐ Food & Drink
- 30+ food vendors throughout grounds
- Fan faves: fish tacos, truffle fries, grilled cheese
- Full craft beer garden and wine garden
- Free water stations throughout venue
- Outside food NOT permitted (sealed water ok)
- Best time to eat: 5โ6 PM between sessions
๐ What to Bring
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ โ desert sun is intense
- Sunglasses + hat for day sessions
- Light jacket for night sessions (~60ยฐF)
- Small backpack (max 12"ร12"ร6")
- Portable phone charger โ long day!
- Comfortable shoes โ grounds are large
๐ฑ Apps & Info
- Download the BNP Paribas Open app before you go
- Live scores, schedule, map all in-app
- ATP/WTA apps for detailed player stats
- Official site: bnpparibasopen.com
- WiFi available throughout venue
- Hashtag: #IndianWells #BNPParibasOpen
๐พ Tennis Etiquette
- Silence during points โ applaud between only
- Don't move to your seat while a point is live
- Cheering between points is totally fine!
- No flash photography during play
- First time? Watch others โ you'll get it fast
- Standing ovations always welcome ๐
๐ฅ Indian Wells Drama Hall of Fame
The Serena Boycott (2001โ2015): After Venus withdrew from their 2001 semi, the crowd booed Serena during the final โ widely seen as racially charged. She boycotted for 14 years. Her 2015 return to a standing ovation is one of tennis's most emotional moments ever.
The "Fifth Grand Slam": Larry Ellison bought the tournament in 2009 and poured hundreds of millions into upgrades. It now draws more fans than any non-Slam event in the world โ some years surpassing Wimbledon in total attendance.
Djokovic's Six-Title Quest: He's won here 5 times. A 6th would be an all-time record. His relationship with the Indian Wells crowd has historically been complicated โ expect strong opinions from the stands.
Svitolina vs. Russian & Belarusian Players: Since 2022, Svitolina has declined to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents. These matches carry profound emotional weight and regularly move the crowd to its feet.