Get ready for the thrilling tennis action at Indian Wells, live on Sky Sports! This year's tournament promises to be an exciting one, with a star-studded lineup and some intriguing storylines.
The Defending Champion's Return: Jack Draper's Title Defense
British No. 1 Jack Draper is back and ready to defend his Indian Wells title. After an arm injury disrupted his 2025 season and delayed his start in 2026, Draper is fit and raring to go. Last year, he defeated Holger Rune in the final, and even took down the mighty Carlos Alcaraz, the current world No. 1 and seven-time Grand Slam champion, in the semis after a remarkable comeback from losing the second set 6-0.
Draper, seeded third, will begin his campaign in round two, with the potential for a showdown against Novak Djokovic, the five-time Indian Wells winner, in the last 16.
Women's Champion Mirra Andreeva Seeks Back-to-Back Titles
On the women's side, Mirra Andreeva is the defending champion, having beaten Aryna Sabalenka in the 2025 final. Andreeva, seeded eighth, will start her title defense in the second round, facing either Peyton Stearns or Solana Sierra.
Emma Raducanu's Comeback: A New Look and a New Start
Emma Raducanu, the 25th seed in the women's singles, will be making her mark in round two. Raducanu, who recently reunited with coach Mark Petchey, has made a fresh start with a new gear sponsor, Uniqlo, after parting ways with Nike.
The British Contingent: More Than Just Draper
Draper isn't the only Brit with a shot at glory. Joining him on the men's side are 14th seed Cameron Norrie, the 2021 Indian Wells champion, and unseeded Jacob Fearnley, who will face Damir Džumhur in the opening round on Thursday.
On the women's side, Sonay Kartal and Fran Jones will begin their campaigns in round one, with Fran Jones potentially facing world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the next round should she advance.
The Big Names: Alcaraz, Sinner, and Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz, the men's world No. 1, is back at the top of his game. He reclaimed the top spot at the end of 2025 and went on to win his seventh Grand Slam title, the Australian Open, earlier this year. Alcaraz is a two-time Indian Wells champion (2023 and 2024) but will be looking to go one step further this time around after losing to Draper in the semis last year.
Jannik Sinner, the world No. 2, returns to Indian Wells after missing last year's tournament due to a three-month ban settled with the World Anti-Doping Agency. Sinner's best results at Indian Wells were semi-final runs in 2023 and 2024, where he fell to his great rival Alcaraz on both occasions.
And let's not forget Novak Djokovic, the five-time Indian Wells winner. It's been a decade since his last triumph in 2016, and he'll be aiming to add another title to his collection.
The Prize Money and Points Up for Grabs
The BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells is not just about the prestige; it's also a significant opportunity for players to boost their rankings and bank some serious cash. The winner of the men's and women's singles will walk away with a cool $1,151,380 and 1000 ATP/WTA points. Even the first-round losers will pocket $24,335, which is not too shabby!
The Sunshine Double: Indian Wells and Miami Open
Indian Wells is the first of the ATP 1000 events in 2026, with the Miami Open, the second leg of the Sunshine Double, following from March 17-29. These tournaments are considered the Masters 1000 events, a rung below the Grand Slams, but they still attract the best players and the biggest crowds.
So, who do you think will emerge victorious at Indian Wells? Will Draper defend his title successfully? Can Alcaraz continue his dominance? Or will there be a surprise winner? Let us know your predictions in the comments, and don't forget to tune in to Sky Sports for all the action!
