Confidence is key when it comes to making a run at the BNP Paribas Open, where the unique desert conditions demand an exacting brand of tennis from today’s top stars. Scroll down as we reveal six players who enter this year’s main draw with some serious momentum riding into Indian Wells.
Get 2023 BNP Paribas Open TicketsPrevious Best BNP Paribas Open Performance: Round of 16, 2021
Entering Tennis Paradise on the heels of his 18th career title, Daniil Medvedev has re-emerged as one of the ATP’s premier players in 2023. Mired in a funk for much of last season, the 27-year-old dropped out of the Top 10 for a spell, and struggled to win matches against the tour’s elite – at one point Medvedev dropped nine straight matches against Top 10 opposition.
Those days are in the past, however. Since early February Medvedev has reeled off 14 consecutive victories, impressively winning titles in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai.
Previous Best BNP Paribas Open Performance: Round of 16, 2021
2023 started with a major breakthrough for American Tommy Paul, who powered into the semifinals at the Australian Open, where he became the first American to achieve the feat since Andy Roddick in 2009. The No.3-ranked American, ranked 19th overall, is currently fourth in the ATP’s Race to London standings, behind only Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Medvedev.
After a run to the Acapulco final last week, Paul will be eager to continue his momentum on home soil at Indian Wells.
Previous Best BNP Paribas Open Performance: Second Round, 2022
Up to a career-high No.8 in this week’s ATP rankings, Holger Rune is pushing for a Top 5 ranking before he turns 20 on April 29. Lithe and powerful, Rune possesses the type of jaw-dropping talent that screams future No.1. Last year, as an 86th-ranked qualifier, the Dane notched his first main draw win in the California desert before falling to Matteo Berrettini in the second round.
Bigger things are surely in the offing for the surging teen…
Previous Best BNP Paribas Open Performance: Round of 16, 2019
After breaking through to win her maiden major title at this year’s Australian Open, Aryna Sabalenka told the media she needed a few days off to “understand everything.” It didn’t take long for the 24-year-old to come to grips with her new reality. She would soon boldly state her aspirations moving forward, revealing her desire to overtake Iga Swiatek for the WTA’s No.1 ranking.
“I want more,” Sabalenka said. “’Motivation,’ this is the word. More motivation to work hard, just to feel it again.”
Back in the California desert to make her fourth Indian Wells appearance, second-ranked Sabalenka is a hot pick for a deep run.
Previous Best BNP Paribas Open Performance: Round of 16, 2021
If 2022 was a season of turbulence for the talented Barbora Krejcikova, then 2023 could be a season of smooth sailing. The 2021 Roland Garros champion struggled mightily with an elbow injury last season but finds herself in good health this year – and the Czech’s tennis backs up that assessment.
Krejcikova cruised past World No.1 Iga Swiatek in the Dubai final two weeks ago, 6-4 6-2, for her sixth career title. It was an emphatic statement from the 27-year-old and a clear indication that she is ready to stand toe-to-toe with the tour’s elite in 2023.
Previous Best BNP Paribas Open Performance: Champion, 2022
The WTA’s deep talent pool is keen on chipping away at the invincible aura of Iga Swiatek, but it’s a job that has proven to be difficult over the last 52 weeks. Since being crowned champion at last year’s BNP Paribas Open, Swiatek has won two majors and solidified her spot as a dominant No.1. Week two of Indian Wells will mark Swiatek’s 50th consecutive week atop the WTA’s rankings.
Already thought of as a generational talent, the Pole is hoping to become the first player to successfully defend the BNP Paribas Open women’s singles title since Martina Navratilova in 1991.
She enters this year’s event with a 12-3 record in 2023 and the Doha title already to her name.
