After a 2020 US Open that featured no fans in the stands, there’s little doubt that all of the players in Flushing Meadows, from former tournament champions to up-and-coming stars of the future, are thrilled to finally feel the energy of the crowd throughout Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. It’s a perfect reintroduction into what the players will experience in just a few months’ time in Tennis Paradise, as the Coachella Valley will transform into the epicenter of the tennis universe and recapture the hearts and minds of tennis enthusiasts across the globe.
For now, the 2021 US Open is officially underway, and a star-studded lineup of former BNP Paribas Open champions is ready to enter the spotlight and take center stage in New York once again. And while legendary figures like Roger, Rafa and Serena are unable to stake their claims for additional titles this year, there’s no shortage of Tennis Paradise champions in the draw. No matter what happens in New York, there’s little doubt that many of the US Open’s biggest moment will feature the BNP Paribas Open’s most notable performers.
Before getting ready for another championship run in Indian Wells in October, let’s take a look at a special Tennis Paradise edition of storylines and players to watch at the 2021 US Open:
Novak Djokovic
There are many incredible storylines to focus on throughout this year’s US Open, but it’s clear that one rises above the rest: 5-time BNP Paribas Open champion Novak Djokovic’s quest to complete the Grand Slam. Having already claimed the year’s first three Major titles (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon) Novak is on the verge of doing something that no player has done since Steffi Graff in 1988. Even more amazingly, only five singles players in history have ever captured all four Major championship trophies in the same calendar year. If the Serb is able to win the US Open title and follow it up with a record-breaking sixth BNP Paribas Open championship, he’ll take another huge step towards his staking his claim as the sport’s GOAT.
Naomi Osaka
There are few players whose careers are more intertwined with the BNP Paribas Open and US Open than WTA world No. 3 Naomi Osaka. In 2018, she won her first-ever tournament title in Tennis Paradise, and then rode that momentum to a stunning major championship victory in Flushing Meadows. While 2019 was a rollercoaster year for Osaka, she bounced back in a massive way last year in New York, winning her second-career US Open. Now, the defending champion is back to defend her title and once again showcase the undeniable talent that she introduced to the tennis world at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open. Can she do the inverse of what she did two years ago, and win the US Open and immediately follow it up with a title in Tennis Paradise?
Bianca Andreescu
Perfectly copying the star-making playbook of Osaka in 2018, little-known Canadian newcomer Bianca Andreescu stole the hearts of everyone in Tennis Paradise at the 2019 tournament. She emerged from a loaded women’s field featuring the likes of Serena Williams, Angelique Kerber, Ashleigh Barty, and then World No. 1 Naomi Osaka to become the tournament’s first ever female wild-card title winner. And just like Osaka, Andreescu would parlay her momentum from Indian Wells into an incredible major championship win at the US Open. It’s clear that there’s something magical in the desert air, as the past two female champions to capture the title in Indian Wells have gone on to cement their status as superstars with a US Open victory in New York later that year. After a difficult 2020 season which saw Andreescu battle nagging injuries for much of the year, now is the perfect opportunity for the young Canadian to recement herself as one of the most talented players on tour.
Get Ready for the 2021 BNP Paribas Open!
While these BNP Paribas Open champions are in New York battling it out for the US Open title for now, they’ll be back in Tennis Paradise in no time.
Don’t miss your opportunity to witness these world-class players descend upon the desert, as the action gets back underway at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on October 4 – 17, 2021.
Explore the full lineup of ticket offerings below to choose the option that best suits your needs:
Series Packages – on sale now!
Mini Packages – on sale now!
Group Packages – on sale now!
Hotel Packages – on sale now!
Daily Tickets – on sale now!