Tennis’ Sunshine Double gets under way on Wednesday as the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells is shown live on Sky Sports, with fit-again British No 1 Jack Draper bidding to defend his title.
Draper, returning to the ATP Tour after an arm injury that curtailed his 2025 season and delayed his 2026 start, beat Holger Rune in last year’s final. He also defeated world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the semis after recovering from a 6-0 second set. Draper lost in Dubai to Arthur Rinderknech in three sets in his second ATP Tour match back following the injury.
All seeded players begin in round two, so Draper (14th seed) will start there, with third seed Novak Djokovic a potential last-16 opponent. The first round begins on Wednesday, with Sky Sports coverage from 7pm UK. The tournament runs until March 15.
Mirra Andreeva is the defending women’s champion after beating Aryna Sabalenka in 2025.
Which other Brits are involved at Indian Wells?
– Men: 14th seed Jack Draper is joined by 27th seed Cameron Norrie, the 2021 Indian Wells champion, and unseeded Jacob Fearnley, who plays Damir Džumhur in the opening round on Thursday.
– Women: Emma Raducanu, who has reunited with coach Mark Petchey, is the 25th seed and will begin in round two. Raducanu will make her debut in Uniqlo after switching from Nike.
– Sonay Kartal and Fran Jones start in round one, with Jones potentially facing world No 2 Iga Swiatek if she advances. Katie Boulter lost in qualifying to Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva and missed the main draw.
Sinner, Alcaraz, Djokovic and other top names
Carlos Alcaraz reclaimed the world No 1 spot at the end of 2025 and added to his major haul by winning the Australian Open — his seventh Grand Slam and completing a career Grand Slam at 22. Alcaraz is a two-time Indian Wells champion (2023, 2024) but lost to Draper in last year’s semis.
Jannik Sinner returns after accepting a three-month ban in a settlement with WADA; he missed Indian Wells last year. Sinner’s best previous runs at Indian Wells were semi-final appearances in 2023 and 2024, both ended by Alcaraz.
Novak Djokovic is a five-time Indian Wells winner, though his last title there came in 2016; he suffered a surprise second-round exit to Botic van de Zandschulp last year.
On the women’s side, Andreeva is seeded eighth and will face either Peyton Stearns or Solana Sierra in the second round. Aryna Sabalenka is a twice-beaten finalist at Indian Wells, having lost to Elena Rybakina in 2023 and to Andreeva in 2025. Iga Swiatek is a two-time champion (2022, 2024) and will be aiming for a third title.
Medvedev, Rublev travel disruption
Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev were among players whose travel plans were disrupted while trying to leave Dubai amid an intensifying Middle East crisis. Medvedev, who won the Dubai Tennis Championships after Tallon Griekspoor withdrew from the final, had been scheduled to play an exhibition Eisenhower Cup Tie Break Tens event on the eve of Indian Wells. He reposted a Russian report confirming his safety after flights were cancelled. Seeded 11th, Medvedev’s first singles match is scheduled for Friday; Rublev, seeded 17th, is also due to play on Friday.
What makes Indian Wells special?
The BNP Paribas Open is widely regarded as tennis’ unofficial fifth major because of its prestige and large fan attendance. It is a Masters 1000 event on both the ATP and WTA Tours — the level below the Grand Slams — and is the first ATP 1000 of the calendar year. The Miami Open completes the Sunshine Double from March 17-29 and is also a 1000 event.
Indian Wells: 2026 prize money breakdown
Rounds — ATP Points — WTA points — Prize Money (US dollars)
– Winner — 1000 — 1000 — $1,151,380
– Finalist — 650 — 650 — $612,340
– Semi-finalists — 400 — 390 — $340,190
– Quarter-finalists — 200 — 215 — $193,645
– 4th round — 100 — 120 — $105,720
– 3rd round — 50 — 65 — $61,865
– 2nd round — 30 — 35 — $36,110
– 1st round — 10 — 10 — $24,335
Watch the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells live on Sky Sports from March 4-15. Stream tennis contract-free with NOW.