Another glorious day in Tennis Paradise brought more sun and star power to the practice courts, as several legendary names made their first appearances on the iconic grounds of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Here’s a rundown of the standout moments from Monday.

Djokovic Returns!

The five-time Indian Wells champion Novak Djokovic, fresh off a run to the final at this year’s Australian Open, arrived on Stadium 1 to a rousing ovation. Djokovic, looking to surpass Roger Federer and claim a record sixth singles title in the California desert, paired up with compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic for a hit that immediately drew a crowd.

Alcaraz and Bergs Mix It Up

Over the weekend, Belgian Zizou Bergs locked horns with Jannik Sinner. On Monday, the World No. 47 tested himself against the other half of the sport’s dynamic duo, engaging in a thrilling two-hour session with two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz.

The Spaniard arrives with a perfect 12-0 record on the season and has his sights set on joining Federer, Djokovic and Nadal as the only men this century to win three or more singles titles in the desert.

The 22-year-old stepped onto the court with cameras trailing and was greeted by a hearty round of applause. Sporting a LeBron James Lakers tank top, Alcaraz settled in at the baseline while Aryna Sabalenka and Maria Sakkari lingered nearby to sign autographs for fans.

Sunny skies, sunny disposition — good vibes all around.

Alcaraz, who fell to Jack Draper in last year’s semifinal, kept spectators fully engaged, while Bergs rose to the occasion against the seven-time major champion.

Rassy to the Rescue

Last year, Mirra Andreeva revealed her wish for a dog and was reportedly told she could get one upon breaking into the Top 20. Even then, the 17-year-old had to wait a bit longer for the final green light from her parents.

“It’s going to take time until the dog that I want will be born,” she said during her title run last year. “We wait for now.”

The wait is over. Defending champion Andreeva recently welcomed Rassy, her labradoodle, to the family.

On Monday, Rassy made her Stadium 1 debut, cradled in Andreeva’s arms as the pair followed Alcaraz and Bergs onto the court. The photogenic pup quickly became a star in her own right — Bergs even pulled out his phone to capture the moment before departing.

A 27-Year Age Gap?

Early risers flocked to Stadium 2, where 45-year-old Venus Williams shared the court with Austria’s Lilli Tagger in an all-wild card session. Remarkably, when Tagger was born in February 2008, Williams already owned six Grand Slam singles titles.

The 18-year-old, armed with a fluid one-handed backhand, is set to make her debut in the California desert. Williams, meanwhile, is poised to become the oldest player ever to contest a match at Indian Wells as she prepares for her tenth appearance.

Their practice unfolded before a steadily growing crowd that appreciated every rally of the generation-spanning hit.

Zheng’s New Coach

Just before lunch, Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen took to Practice Court 2 with a new voice in her corner: Marcos Baghdatis, the highest-ranked tennis player in Cyprus’ history. The former World No. 8 is currently working with Zheng on a trial basis.

The Chinese star, ranked No. 23, reached the quarterfinals in the California desert last year before falling to two-time champion Iga Swiatek.