Former champions Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will make their return to the Indian Wells Masters as they prepare to face off against the young rising stars of the Tour.
It has been officially announced that the entry list for the tournament has been released, and both Nadal and Djokovic are included. The defending champion, Djokovic, is expected to be the second seed.
Djokovic will be making his first appearance in the competition since 2019, as the 2020 event was canceled due to the pandemic. He chose not to participate in 2021 due to the strict restrictions in the United States. In 2022 and 2023, he was unable to play as he had not been vaccinated against Covid-19.
Nadal, on the other hand, missed the 2023 edition of the tournament due to an injury sustained during his title defense at the 2023 . He was a finalist at Indian Wells in 2022. His withdrawal in 2023 resulted in him dropping out of the Top-10 rankings for the first time since 2005. After skipping the Australian Open this year, Nadal will be well-rested and ready to compete in the event.
Other notable players at this year’s tournament include last year’s runner-up, the reigning Australian Open champion, and former champions and . The 2019 winner, , has been listed as an alternate and it remains to be seen if he will receive a wildcard entry into the main draw.
The Indian Wells Masters is considered one of the most prestigious tournaments on the tennis calendar. This ATP Masters-1000 event takes place in the Californian desert. The Indian Wells stadium, which is the second largest permanent stadium in terms of capacity, is located behind the Arthur Ashe Stadium at the . It is even larger than the Centre Court at .
The Indian Wells trophy is known for its weight, as it is one of the heaviest trophies on the Tour. The trophy is made entirely of glass and resembles the logo of BNP Paribas, the current sponsor of the tournament. The Indian Wells Masters is also one of the most attended events on the Tour, second only to the Grand Slam tournaments.
Seeing Rybakina effortlessly lift the Indian Wells trophy reminded me of Simo’s attempt to do the same. 😂🥲
All of the top players strive to participate in this tournament due to its significance and the large crowds it attracts. It is often referred to as the unofficial fifth Grand Slam of the sport.