Indian Wells: The Fifth Grand Slam

Written by: Keya Gambhir

The Indian Wells tournament, officially called the BNP Paribas Open, is one of the biggest and most popular tennis competitions in the world. It takes place every year in Indian Wells, California, a city in the desert near Palm Springs. The event lasts about two weeks and features many of the best players from around the globe. This year the event began on March 2, 2025, and has already had many exciting events. Let’s dive in!

Tennis is a sport where the objective is to use a racket to hit a ball over a net. There are two types of events: singles (one-on-one) and doubles (teams of two). The goal is to score points by making the ball land in the opponent’s side of the court in a way that they can’t return it. In professional tournaments like Indian Wells, men and women compete in separate categories, and the matches follow a knockout format—meaning if a player loses, they are out of the competition.

Indian Wells is considered one of the most important tennis tournaments outside of the four biggest events, known as the Grand Slams. Because of its size, prize money, and popularity, some people even call it the “fifth Grand Slam.” Players earn ranking points based on their performance, which helps determine their standing in the global tennis rankings.

The tournament is played on hard courts, which means the surface is smooth and fast, making for exciting matches. Fans globally travel to Indian Wells to watch the games, enjoy the beautiful weather, and experience the world-class facilities at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, where the event is held.

Beyond the competition, Indian Wells offers a unique experience for spectators. Fans can watch players practice up close, enjoy fine dining, and take part in entertainment activities. The tournament is known for its relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, making it a favorite for both athletes and visitors.

At the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, the record for the most men's singles titles is shared by Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, each with five championships. Djokovic secured his titles in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, and 2016, while Federer claimed his in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2012, and 2017.

On the women's side, the record for the most singles titles is held by Martina Navratilova, who won the tournament twice, in 1990 and 1991. Iga Swiatek ties Navratilova for this title, winning the tournament in 2022 and 2024.

The BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells has been full of surprises and exciting matches so far! In the men’s singles tournament, last year’s champion, Carlos Alcaraz, is doing well and winning his matches. One of the biggest stories is Yosuke Watanuki, a player ranked No. 349 in the world. He has shocked everyone by making it to the fourth round, something no one ranked that low has done since 2004! However, it hasn’t been a great tournament for Spanish players—Paula Badosa had to quit due to an injury, and Alejandro Davidovich and Pablo Carreño lost early. That leaves Alcaraz as the only Spanish player still competing.

On the women’s side, British player Sonay Kartal had an unexpected journey. She originally lost in the qualifying rounds, but when another player, Sloane Stephens, dropped out, Kartal got a second chance. The problem? She had already checked out of her hotel! Even with that stress, she played amazingly and won three matches to reach the round of 16, where she will face the top-ranked player, Aryna Sabalenka. Meanwhile, American player Coco Gauff had a tough match full of mistakes, but she managed to fight through and win in three sets. Even though she wasn’t happy with how she played, she was glad she stayed strong under pressure.

In men’s doubles, last year’s winners, Wesley Koolhof and Nikola Mektić, didn’t return as a team because Koolhof retired. Mektić teamed up with Michael Venus, but they lost in the first round to the team of Matteo Berrettini and Lorenzo Sonego.

As the tournament continues, fans are excited to see what happens next—will there be more surprises, or will the top players take home the trophies? Tune in to Indian Wells and follow the journey if you enjoyed learning about the tournament!