Bill Simons
They call it the Fifth Slam.
The BNP Paribas Open is not really a major. But tennis’ desert prince has a singular swagger and a distinct niche in the sport. Heaven knows it doesn’t offer the jolly heritage of Wimbledon. It’s more of a California thing, desert chic with hints of Hollywood and Disney. Its crowds are intense, but not Arthur Ashe Stadium loud. It’s not as raucous as Miami.
Still, Indian Wells’ impact has been incredible. With its early spring date, its breathtaking resort setting, its user-friendly penchant for innovation (think appealing stadiums and open practice courts “There’s Rafa – gads, he’s shirtless,” gourmet courtside dining and assorted Vegas-worthy entertainers) it’s not surprising that fans, players and the media adore the place. Sure, like eggs, or that concert you really wanted to go to but would have cost you your mortgage, the tourney isn’t exactly cheap.
But what’s not to like about a world class gathering that’s been the tourney of the year for ten straight seasons and is in a gorgeous resort setting? (Apres tennis, let’s catch a sunset, then get to our dinner reservation by 8, and tomorrow, after a little wake-up jog and some pool time, we’ll get in those 18 holes before we head back to the grind.)
Over the years, the success of Indian Wells was so strong that it wreaked havoc on other unsuspecting tourneys. LA, Carson, San Diego, San Jose, Las Vegas and Scottsdale just couldn’t keep up with Indian Wells’ razzle dazzle. They all teetered, and then vanished. There was no stopping tennis’ apex predator, which brought a whole new level of show to the circuit.
Yes, the Miami Open did scramble, went to Plan B and managed to remain a considerable factor. Yes, their soon to be Federer-less fields often had as many holes as Swiss cheese, but Miami remains important. The concept of America’s Sunshine Double remains a viable benchmark.
Through the years, the mighty Indian Wells show prospered, in spite of the fact that it was often missing key cast members. For fourteen years the Williams sisters boycotted the tournament. Serena won twice in the desert and Venus never reached a final.
For all we know, Novak “Thou shall not poke me” Djokovic might have been out playing poker during the BNPPO for years. In one way or another, he didn’t play for four straight tourneys due to Covid. Last year, a hobbled Rafa withdrew. This year, No. 1 Jannik Sinner will be absent due to his suspension. Amid some mystery, Venus turned down her wildcard, and Reilly Opelka has also withdrawn.
But many new and familiar faces will be on hand. Nick Kyrgios, No. 1097, and Petra Kvitova, who recently gave birth, will at last be playing in America again. Young sensations Joao Foncesca from Brazil, who just won in Argentina, and Learner Tien, who downed Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev this year, and Torrance prospect Iva Jovic will all be playing.
LEGAL TIP OF THE YEAR: After reflecting on the work of coach Conchita Martinez, who’s guiding the young Russian Mirra Andreeva, Jon Wertheim commented, “If I were a felon, I’d want to have Sinner’s lawyers. If I were an aspiring player, I’d want to have Conchita Martinez as my coach.”
DOES NOVAK HAVE THE BLUES? Novak Djokovic has been on the circuit for 20 years, and he’s seeking a record sixth Indian Wells title. He’s 37 – and here’s some breaking news. He may be suffering from career fatigue. After Nole fell to No. 30 Matteo Berrettini in Qatar, former ATP star Steve Johnson noted, “It sometimes feels that he’s a bit flat emotionally, which has usually never been the case…It’s interesting to watch Novak in these events because the Doha title will not further his legacy, so I’m not sure about his emotional investment. It just feels as if he’s not as motivated to win in Dubai or Doha as he is to win a Slam because that’s the only thing that can further his legacy.”
AMANDA’S REDEMPTION: Like the fathers of Hall of Famer Maria Sharapova and Aussie Open winner Sofia Kenin, Amanda Anisimova’s dad Konstantin was a passionate Russian who found his way to Florida, where he hoped his young daughter would gain glory and fortune. And, at just 18, Amanda seemed to be well on her way. She powered her way to the French Open semis and gained a ranking of No. 22.
Then disaster struck. At just 52, Konstantin suffered a sudden, fatal heart attack. Amanda mourned. But her coach said she didn’t give herself enough time. Her inspired tennis wavered, her ranking plummeted. She posted a poignant quote by Marianne Williamson: “Pain can burn you up and destroy you or burn you up and redeem you.”
As Amanda continued to struggle and her ranking dipped below 200, it became apparent that her pain was not about to redeem her.
So Amanda stepped away from the angst of the game and took a mental break. She went to college, made new friends far from the courts and had fun. Finally, at the start of 2024, she returned to her first love – tennis.
She again gained confidence and had some nice wins. Last year she reached the Toronto final, became a brunette, and, in Doha, though only ranked No. 41, she beat Paula Badosa and Jelena Ostapenko to become the youngest American to win the title since Monica Seles in 2022.
At her moment of triumph, Amanda fell on her back in ecstasy. At long last it seemed that just maybe all her pain had at last redeemed her.
AMERICAN WTA SURGE: At first blush you might say, “Wow, for the first time since 2003, the USA has three of the top five players in the WTA rankings.” Coco Gauff is No. 3. Jessica Pegula, who just won In Austin, is No. 4 and Madison Keys is No. 5. But hold on, if you go just a little bit deeper you’ll see that, in fact, America has five of the top 14, including US Open semifinalist Emma Navarro (No. 8) and the still not retired Danielle Collins (No. 14).
Gauff, who reigned as the No. 1 doubles player, did reach No. 2 in singles. The last American to be No. 1 in the world was none other than Serena.
GO FIGURE: As best we can tell, Djokovic holds 56 different records…It feels like Gauff has been around forever. She’s been on tour for almost six years, but the world’s highest earning active athlete only officially becomes an adult March 13, when she turns 21…Alcaraz, Djokovic, Tsitsipas and Dimitrov played tennis while sitting on camels in Doha.
MIRRA, MIRRA ON THE RISE: Mirra Andreeva, 17, downed three Grand Slam champions – Marketa Vondrousova, Iga Swiatek, and Elena Rybakina – en route to the Dubai final, where she dismissed Dane Clara Tauson 7-6(1), 6-1 to become the youngest ever WTA 1000 champion.
With her win, the appealing Russian became No. 9 and the youngest player to reach the Top Ten. Andy Roddick said she’ll eventually become No. 1.
Considering Mirra’s ever-improving talent and her mature mindset, Andy’s claim is hardly shocking. Her goal this year was to reach the Top Ten. But she’s had to move the goalposts. She now has a new goal: to reach the Top Five. She comments, “I’m very curious if I will be able to achieve it.”
SAY IT ISN’T SO: Stomach issues hit Casper Ruud, Tommy Paul and Holger Rune on a day when Acapulco’s top five seeds all bowed out…It’s been since 2001 that an American woman, Ms. Serena, has won in Indian Wells.
JUST WONDERING: Can the charismatic Carlos Alcaraz, the Rotterdam champ and world No. 3, back up his new tweaked serve and again delight in the desert to become the first player since Djokovic and Federer to three-peat at the BNP Paribas Open? He’s still only 21 years old…Can world No. 1 and 2023 finalist Aryna Sabalenka win her first Indian Wells? Can Madison Keys tap into her Melbourne magic and make a deep run? In eleven tries, she’s only once reached the quarters on Indian Wells’ slow courts.
PAINTING THE DESERT CARDINAL: A pair of former Stanford players and SoCal natives, Nishesh Basavareddy and Tristan Boyer, are in the draw.
A LEARNER WHO CONTINUES TO SOAR: With his victory in Mexico over No. 2 Alexander Zverev, Learner Tien became the youngest man to beat a Top 3 player since 2022, when Alcaraz also beat Zverev. Tien is also the youngest American man to beat a Top Three player since Andy Roddick beat Gustavo Kuerten in 2001.
HOOP DREAMS: Laver Cup Captain Andre Agassi went to a Golden State Warrior game to promote the September tourney. Also on hand for the game was Iga Swiatek, who got a warm welcome.
After winning in Dubai, teen Mirra Andreeva admitted she was pretty clueless about the NBA. Still, she said her mental toughness was inspired by Lebron James’ claim that, “It’s easy to be confident and play good when everything goes your way, but what makes you a champion is when you’re giving your best when you don’t feel great.”
BAWLING ABOUT BALLS: It ain’t an ATP spring if complaints about the balls aren’t flying around. Recently, Daniil Medvedev had his say: “It was ridiculous how slow the balls were. I do not understand how… [come there are] 5-7 ball changes in the ATP Tour. I don’t get it.”
SLUMPING SLOANE: Madison Keys, who lost in the 2017 US Open, won this year’s Aussie Open. Sloane Stephens, who beat Keys to win in New York back then and is now No. 65, is on a 10-match losing streak that dates back to Wimbledon.
AND A CHILD SHALL LEAD US: Campbell’s Kristina Penickova, 16, who’s playing the qualifying, is the youngest player at the tourney. Iva Jovic and Mirra Andreeva, who are both 17, and Acapulco quarterfinalist Learner Tien, 18, are the youngest in the main draw
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THE COACHELLA VALLEY WITH A FRENCH ACCENT: France has the second biggest contingent in the tourney.
