The BNP Paribas Open has announced its player entry list for 2026, signaling the exciting return of the top men and women in tennis to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden this March. This prestigious tournament marks the beginning of the combined ATP Masters and WTA 1000 events for the season, with World No. 1s Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz leading the charge as top seeds.
Carlos Alcaraz, a two-time champion of the BNP Paribas Open (2023, 2024) and fresh off winning his first career Grand Slam at the 2026 Australian Open, will be looking to defend his title in Tennis Paradise. Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka, who recently suffered a tough defeat in the Australian Open final against Elena Rybakina, seeks redemption on these courts where she previously claimed the runner-up spot.
Elena Rybakina, the reigning BNP Paribas Open champion, arrives in Indian Wells with momentum after her impressive performance in Melbourne, where she secured her second Grand Slam title. The 2023 champion will undoubtedly be a player to watch as she attempts to add a second title to her Indian Wells resume.
Another notable entry is Novak Djokovic, a five-time BNP Paribas Open champion, who made headlines with his record as the oldest player to reach the final at the 2026 Australian Open, where he finished as the runner-up. Djokovic is eager to continue his pursuit of a historical sixth title in the desert.
Reigning champions Jack Draper and Mirra Andreeva will also return to defend their titles. Draper, who claimed the biggest victory of his career last March by defeating Alcaraz in the semifinals and Holger Rune in the final, missed the 2026 Australian Open due to an arm injury but aims to recapture his form. Andreeva enjoyed a fairytale run in 2026, becoming the youngest champion since Serena Williams in 1999 and is now positioned as World No. 7 as she aims to replicate her success.
Several former champions will vie for glory once more, including Naomi Osaka (2018), currently ranked 14th in the world, and Paula Badosa (2021), whose ranking sits at 65. Among the men, Taylor Fritz (2022) enters as the top-ranked American at No. 7, and Cameron Norrie (2021) checks in at No. 26.
World No. 2, Jannik Sinner, makes his return to Indian Wells after a year-long absence, seeking his maiden title in the desert. The 2026 Australian Open semifinalist Alexander Zverev, ranked 4th, and Lorenzo Musetti, who has broken into the top five for the first time this year, will also be key contenders.
The American women will attempt to end a 25-year title drought since Serena Williams last won, with Amanda Anisimova leading the charge as the top-ranked American after achieving a career-high No. 3 ranking this January. She will be joined by fellow top competitors Coco Gauff (ranked 5th) and Jessica Pegula (ranked 6th), who all carry the hopes of breaking the championship drought.
On the men’s side, Ben Shelton (No. 9) is set to join Fritz as they seek title success. Tommy Paul (No. 22), Frances Tiafoe (No. 30), and Southern Californian Learner Tien, who reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, round out the Top 30 American competitors.
Newly minted top 20 American Iva Jovic, just 18 years old, is poised to make her mark following a strong showing in Melbourne. Other prominent names aiming for success on home soil include Madison Keys (No. 15) and Emma Navarro (No. 17).
Some additional star players gracing the entry list include Jasmine Paolini (No. 8), Olympic Gold Medalist Belinda Bencic (No. 9), and 2026 Australian Open semifinalist Elina Svitolina (No. 10).
The full player entry list can be accessed via the BNP Paribas Open website, and an additional group of players will join the competition through a qualifying tournament held from March 1-3, as well as through wild card selections yet to be announced. Doubles and mixed doubles competitors will also be revealed in due course. The excitement is building as one of the most anticipated tournaments of the year approaches.
