Defending champions Taylor Fritz and Iga Swiatek look to retain Indian Wells tennis crowns: Preview
The BNP Paribas Open is the first big event on the ATP and WTA calendars since the Australian Open in January. See the schedule and find out how to watch. Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the tournament.
Tennis
Professional tennis is headed to the California desert.
Known as "tennis paradise," the BNP Paribas Open is a 1000-level ATP and WTA event, and is considered the biggest tournament outside of the sport's four Grand Slams. The stop marks the first time fans will see all the top tennis stars gathered in one place since the Australian Open concluded in late January.
The event, held in Indian Wells near to Palm Springs, is set for 6-19 March and kicks off tennis' "Sunshine Double," with the Miami Open - another 1000-level event - held straight after.
We will not see 10-time Australian Open champ and world No.1 Novak Djokovic fresh off of his record-tying 22nd major win? The world No 1. withdrew from the tournament on Sunday (5 March) while his fellow great Rafael Nadal is still recovering from a hip injury sustained in his second round loss in Melbourne.
Reigning US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz is set to play, however, looking to back his semi-final run in the Coachella Valley from a year ago. He returned to tour in February after three months away, winning his seventh career title in Buenos Aires.
American hope and breakout 2022 Indian Wells champ Taylor Fritz will look to defend his title fresh off a fifth career trophy at Delray Beach, as will world No.1 on the women's side, Iga Swiatek, who also just won, too - a 12th career triumph, captured in Doha.
See the full schedule of the tennis, find out how you can tune in and read up on three storylines to keep your eye on below.
Indian Wells Masters 2023: 3 storylines to follow
Fritz, Pegula lead American charge
With Serena Williams officially retired (Venus is still playing, however), who will be the next great American superstar in tennis? Fritz would like it to be him, the world No.7 having embedded himself at the top of the men's game. But his good friend and peer Tommy Paul reached a major semi-final first, the 25-year-old falling to Djokovic in the last four at the AO.
What about Australian Open stunner Ben Shelton? The 20-year-old turned pro just a few months ago and on his first trip abroad made the quarter-finals in Australia (losing to Paul).
Veteran Jessica Pegula has secured her spot in the WTA's Top 5, but can she go another level up? She won her first WTA 1000 title in Guadalajara late last year, and often partners with Coco Gauff in doubles, the 19-year-old now up to world No.6 in singles, as well.
Swiatek vs. Sabalenka: Rivalry incoming?
Do we have the next great rivalry in women's tennis already brewing? World No.1 Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, who won her first major in Australia in January, have split their six matches, with the advantage to the Pole 4-2. But Sabalenka won their most recent at the 2022 WTA Finals, and can now call herself a major champ.
Swiatek could also have a bubbling rivalry with Tunisia's Ons Jabeur, whom she beat in the US Open final, as well as Caroline Garcia, who stunned for the WTA Finals trophy in November. Also to watch out for on the women's side: 2022 runner-up here Maria Sakkari, Wimbledon champ and AO runner-up Elena Rybakina, the crafty Daria Kasatkina and Olympic champion Belinda Bencic - all of whom reside in the Top 10.
Ruud, Rublev, Auger-Aliassime eye biggest title
Should Djokovic not make an appearance, the men's field could be wide open, led by the likes of Fritz, Alcaraz and Top 5 members Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev. Ruud and Rublev are still looking for their first ATP 1000 title, as is Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, who ended 2022 on a tear.
2021 US Open winner Daniil Medvedev is finding his top form again, while Jannik Sinner of Italy is still looking for a true breakthrough moment. Or could 19-year-old Holger Rune shock the tennis world like he did at the Paris Masters in November? Possibly.
Indian Wells Masters 2023: Schedule
The qualifying event kicks things off on Monday (6 March), with the main draws starting on Wednesday (8 March), in the 96-player singles draws.
The top 32 men and women get first-round byes.
All times listed are local California (Pacific U.S.). You can see the full tournament schedule here.
Qualifying
Monday & Tuesday, 6-7 March - 1100 local
Men's & women's 1st round to quater-finals
Wednesday, 8 March-Thursday, 16 March - 1100; Evening session from 1800
Women's semi-finals; Doubles semi-finals
Friday, 17 March - 1200; Evening session from 1800
Men's semi-finals; Doubles finals
Saturday, 18 March - 1100
Women's singles final followed by men's final
Sunday, 19 March - 1300
Indian Wells Masters 2023: How to watch
Indian Wells can be watched on ATP and WTA partner broadcasters as the event is held as part of the respective tours. American fans can watch the action in its entirety on Tennis Channel.
Other notable territories include:
- Australia - beIN
- Great Britian - Amazon Prime Video
- Germany - Sky Duetchland (men); Tennis Channel (women)
- Spain - Telefonica/Movistar & TVE (men); DAZN, TVE & TV3 (women)
- France - Canal +, Eurosport (men); beIN
- Japan - WOWOW, NHK, Gaora (men); DAZN (women)
- Poland - Canal + (women only)
A full list of ATP broadcasters can be found here, while the WTA broadcast list is here.