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Indian Wells, California

March 4 - 17, 2024

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Postcards From Paradise, Volume. 1: Dominic & Iga Kick It On The Player Lawn

dominic thiem kicks a soccer ball

SUNDAY MARCH 5th: Dominic Thiem plays soccer at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Sunday, March 5th, 2023 in Indian Wells. (Kathryn Riley/BNP Paribas Open)

by BNP Paribas Open
03/06/2023

The flowers are in bloom, the players are in town and the Indian Wells Tennis Garden is buzzing with excitement for the 2023 BNP Paribas Open. But there’s more to this event than the world-class tennis played on court – here’s a snapshot of some of the cool moments happening off court and around the grounds. We’ve got you covered with our Postcards From Paradise!

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Iga Swiatek & Dominic Thiem trade their racquets for soccer cleats (kind of)

Ok, maybe they weren’t wearing proper soccer attire, but the two topspin-loving Grand Slam champions took a little break from the practice courts for some pick-up soccer on the lawns of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Pretty sure both could have had impressive soccer careers if they weren’t already tennis aces.

iga swiatek plays soccer with her teammate
SUNDAY MARCH 5th: Iga Swiatek plays soccer at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Sunday, March 5th, 2023 in Indian Wells. (Kathryn Riley/BNP Paribas Open)
dominic thiem plays with a soccer ball on the lawn at the stadium
SUNDAY MARCH 5th: Dominic Thiem plays soccer at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Sunday, March 5th, 2023 in Indian Wells. (Kathryn Riley/BNP Paribas Open)

SPOTTED: Monfils back on the practice courts

Well, look who it is. 👀

gael monfils signs a tennis ball for fans after practice

A fan favorite wherever he goes, talented Frenchman Gael Monfils is back in action after several months rehabbing a foot injury sustained last season. But by his own account, the injury has been a blessing in disguise, allowing him to spend more time with his newborn daughter Skaï and fellow tennis-player wife Elina Svitolina.

Snow… in the desert…?

It’s been uncharacteristically chilly (by Indian Wells standards) this year, and while it still feels every bit like Tennis Paradise at ground level, the picturesque mountains on the horizon are looking a little more alpine than usual.

snowy mountains in the background of the indian wells tennis garden
Monday, March 6, 2023 – Snow capped mountains are seen from the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California. (Kathryn Riley/BNP Paribas Open)

Fans meeting their idols, idols meeting their fans

Where else can you get unparalleled access to practice courts, special activities and (of course) selfies with your favourite players? At the BNP Paribas Open, it’s not a rare occurrence to walk right by one of the world’s best tennis players on your way to grab a quick refreshment.

fan takes a selfie with wu yibing
Sunday, March 5, 2023 – Wu Yibing snaps a selfie with a fan at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California. (Jared Wickerham/BNP Paribas Open)
tennis player with a small child lifting weight on kid's day
Sunday, March 5, 2023 – Karolina Pliskova takes part in Kids Day at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California. (Jared Wickerham/BNP Paribas Open)

But how cute is Victoria Azarenka‘s son Leo?

We caught this adorable moment at the practice lawn on Sunday – not-so-little Leo gives his mum a kiss on the cheek after a fun soccer session to cap off a nice day of practice for the two time BNP Paribas Open champion.

victoria azarenka gets a kiss on the cheek from her son

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BNP Paribas OpenDominic ThiemIga SwiatekIndian Wells Tennis GardenTennis ParadiseVictoria Azarenka
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