Indian Wells Begins with Star Wild Cards
The BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells officially starts today with qualifying rounds featuring notable wild cards including Gael Monfils on his farewell tour, Venus Williams returning to singles and doubles, and Bianca Andreescu. Novak Djokovic has confirmed he will play, while Jannik Sinner headlines the qualifying draw. The tournament marks a reshuffled ATP and WTA schedule promising viral moments.
Often called the "fifth Grand Slam," the BNP Paribas Open is the best-attended tennis tournament outside of the four majors. The Indian Wells Tennis Garden, the second-largest tennis-specific stadium globally, can host over 16,000 fans in its main stadium and boasts a total of 29 courts. Novak Djokovic, a five-time champion at Indian Wells, returns after a surprising second-round exit in 2025 to a lucky loser. This was his second consecutive early loss at the tournament to a lower-ranked opponent. Djokovic holds the record for the most men's Grand Slam singles titles with 24. Gaël Monfils has confirmed that 2026 will be his final year on the ATP Tour, making this tournament a stop on his farewell tour. The 39-year-old Frenchman has won 13 ATP singles titles throughout his career. Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, is competing in both singles and doubles. She has played a handful of tournaments in early 2026, seeking to build momentum after a series of early-round losses. Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 US Open and Indian Wells champion, is on the comeback trail after a series of injuries. An ankle injury in August 2025 and an emergency appendectomy in early 2025 sidelined the Canadian player. Contrary to earlier reports, World No. 2 Jannik Sinner is not in the qualifying draw and is a top contender for the title. Sinner has had a relatively quiet start to 2026 and aims to find his form at a tournament where he has previously reached the semifinals. The 2026 ATP and WTA tour calendars have seen some adjustments, including a later start for the Australian Open, which has caused minor shifts for some smaller tournaments. However, the premier events like the "Sunshine Double" of Indian Wells and the Miami Open remain cornerstones of the March schedule.
