Where show-stopping superstars make for an electric atmosphere
Each March, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden transforms into the epicenter of the tennis world. Nestled in between the first two majors of the season, the BNP Paribas Open occupies a pivotal spot on the tennis calendar that makes for truly unforgettable moments. Legacies are bolstered (see: Federer, Roger; Djokovic, Novak; Nadal, Rafael); stars are born (see: Andreescu, Bianca; Osaka, Naomi); and history is written (see: Williams, Serena).
While the idyllic destination and electrifying ambiance make Tennis Paradise a place unlike any other, it is undoubtedly the thrilling tennis action and world-class competition that takes center stage. Each year, a new chapter is written, and you’ll want to have a front row seat to witness history in the making.
There’s no telling what will be next, but over the years, there have been no shortage of moments that make fans stop and ask – “were you there when…?”
Osaka and Andreescu showed the world that there is something magical about Indian Wells, as each player entered the BNP Paribas Open relatively unknown, and emerged a superstar in the making. Their impressive runs didn’t end there, as both players followed up their respective victories (Osaka, 2018; Andreescu, 2019) with their first-ever Grand Slam titles in New York later in the summer.
Juan Martin Del Potro captured his long-overdue first Masters 1000 title in 2018 by defeating Federer in an instant three-set classic; and Dominic Thiem followed that up with a comeback victory of his own in 2019 over the Swiss Maestro for his inaugural Masters 1000 title.
Serena Williams made her triumphant return to Tour after an 14-month maternity leave – only to have her comeback cut short by none other than her older sister, Venus.
We got a glimpse of the greatness to come with Djokovic’s defeat of Mardy Fish in 2008 – his first of a record five titles at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Qualifier Vasek Pospisil stunned the tennis world by defeating then-World No. 1 Andy Murray in the second round in 2017 in an aggressive, go-for-broke 6-4, 7-6(5) upset.