Top American Finishers In Oracle Challenger Series To Receive Wild Cards Into BNP Paribas Open

Oracle Challenger Series Coming to Indian Wells

The brand-new Oracle Challenger Series, which aims to support American players, is coming to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden ahead of the 2018 BNP Paribas Open.

The Series consists of two ATP Challenger Tour events and two WTA 125K Series events held as combined tournaments, the first of their kind. The first will be at Newport Beach Tennis Club (January 20-28, 2018) and the second will be at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden (February 24 – March 4, 2018). The top two male and female Americans with the highest accumulated points over the course of the Series will be awarded wild cards in their respective singles main draws into the BNP Paribas Open, held March 5-18, 2018.

Oracle Corp. – the industry-leading technology company founded by BNP Paribas Open owner Larry Ellison – has long been a committed supporter of American tennis at both the collegiate and professional levels. Each Series event will pay equal prize money for a total of $150,000 per tournament, with player participants to be determined by ATP and WTA rankings and procedures used at similar tournaments.

“Tennis players in the United States need more chances to compete at home and more chances to earn a living from the sport,’’ said Oracle CEO Mark Hurd. “Oracle is committed to American tennis and these events are designed to provide opportunities for players to make meaningful gains in both prize money and ranking points on their home soil. We hope to continue to grow the number of events annually in the years ahead.’’

The Series builds on Oracle’s longstanding commitment to American tennis, including the Oracle US Tennis Awards unveiled earlier this year, two $100,000 grants awarded annually to assist young players as they transition from college into the professional ranks.

The Oracle Challenger Series will be open to the public and free of charge. With the addition of the Series, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden will host competitive tennis for nearly five weeks this spring, allowing fans to enjoy the incredible venue in Full Bloom for longer than ever before.

For more information about the Oracle Challenger Series and each event, visit oraclechallengerseries.com.