Novak Djokovic Returns to BNP Paribas Open Aimng for Record Sixth Title, Rafael Nadal Also Makes Comeback

© Getty Images/Clive Brunskill

After a five-year break, Novak Djokovic returns to the BNP Paribas Open with the aim of winning a record sixth title in the Southern California desert. The world’s leading player in men’s tennis, Djokovic last competed at the Indian Wells in 2019, where he was eliminated in the third round.

His absence over the past four years was motivated by his decision not to get a COVID-19 vaccination, a requirement the U.S. set for out-of-state visitors until last spring.

Djokovic, who won the tournament in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2016, is not the only player whose return is eagerly awaited. Three-time winner Rafael Nadal will also return after missing last year due to injury and was also unable to attend the Australian Open in January.

Star-studded field promises exciting duels

The tournament, which includes both the ATP and WTA tours, runs from March 3 to 17 and promises to bring together some of tennis’s best talent. Iga Swiatek, the world’s leading women’s player, will also take part.

She won the title in 2022 and reached the semifinals last year. Defending champions Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina also return. Alcaraz, currently ranked No. 2 in the world, became the first man to win Indian Wells without losing a set since Roger Federer did so in 2017.

Australian Open champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, the latter of whom lost the final in the desert last year, are also expected. Other top players in the men’s field include 2022 winner Taylor Fritz, 2023 runner-up Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Alexander Zverev and Andy Murray.

Among the women’s favorites are Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Naomi Osaka, Australian Open finalist Qinwen Zheng, Maria Sakkari, Ons Jabeur, Marketa Vondrousova and Karolina Muchova. With its top-class field of participants, the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells attracts not only the tennis elite, but also fans from all over the world.

The return of players like Djokovic and Nadal sets additional highlights and makes the tournament one of the most anticipated events of the year in the tennis circuit.

2024-02-08 21:11:54
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