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BNP Paribas Open Serves World-Class Tennis

Even with Roger Federer sitting out, Indian Wells continues to draw tennis' top players

Patti Myers Tennis

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Prepare to be served with the best tennis experience in the world starting March 7.

According to the best players in the world — those members of the ATP and WTA Tour — the BNP Paribas Open is world class.

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For the second consecutive year, the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden was voted the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year and also WTA Premier Mandatory Tournament of the Year for 2015. Both awards are voted by players.

It's the laid-back atmosphere of the stunning venue, the picturesque desert backdrop, and sweeping mountains that players enjoy, along with the top-notch facilities and its ever-evolving improvements. Three-time champ Rafael Nadal is known for relaxing with a round of golf on his days off, utilizing tournament owner Larry Ellison's private Porcupine Creek course in Rancho Mirage and also playing around the Indian Wells area.

Rafel Nadal is a three-time winner at BNP Paribas.

 

New for 2016

"Our event is focused on improving each and every year in all areas and aspects, and receiving this award for the second year in a row is another validation that our actions are being appreciated by the players," said Raymond Moore, the tournament's chief executive officer. "It only intensifies our desire to reach new heights in 2016 and ensure that the experience at the tournament is nothing short of exceptional.”

New for the March 7-20 event is improved seating for Stadium 1. The court surface was lowered to accommodate recessed TV cameras and new seats in the lower bowl area are larger with cup holders. “We are focused on the details, such as seating comfort, sightlines, and more, all designed to make the event as special as possible to all our ticket holders," Moore said.

As the only tournament in the world to have installed Hawk-Eye technology on all courts, the BNP Paribas Open continues to impress both players and patrons on and off the court.

Along with unsurpassed player access on nearby practice courts, tennis fans have the ability to stay atop all the action whether in their seat or meandering through the village. Free Wifi allows fans to stream live action from the four main courts and digital boards update practice times to scout out a favorite.

Practice courts bring fans in close proximity to the players.

Twenty onsite practice courts get you up close and personal to the players (for fans, some permanent seating was installed there this year, repurposed from seats taken from Stadium 1). Many of them often stop for selfies or autographs before or after their workout session and take in the relaxed atmosphere by lounging on the adjacent grassy area where many often kick around the soccer ball. The practice courts are located by the player lounge and dining area so it's a great place for a potential photo op.

Check the electronic information towers for daily autograph session times. Up to 150 color-specific wristbands will be distributed one hour prior to the scheduled session. Only patrons who obtain wristbands specific to that autograph session will be able to participate in that signing.

Who's Back, Who's Not

And speaking of participation, the best of the best are back, but one fan favorite has been sidelined. One of the most dominating players here, No. 3 Roger Federer, is out for the first time since his doubles debut in Indian Wells in 2000 (his first singles appearance was 2001). Federer is part of a trio of who have been part of a decade of domination in the desert.

World No. 1, 10-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic (four-time Indian Wells winner 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015) and the 17-time Grand Slam champion Federer (four-time BNP champion 2004-2006, 2012) along with World No. 5, 14-time Grand Slam champion and three-time winner here Rafael Nadal (2007, 2009, 2013) have celebrated all but one singles title since 2004. Only one other player (Ivan Ljubicic in 2010) has been able to break the string of championships by those three.

Serena Williams is back and this time with sister Venus.

A runner-up here in 2014 and 2015, Federer suffered a right knee injury earlier this year, required surgery and made his announcement to skip Indian Wells on Feb. 26 via his Facebook page. He wrote that plans are in place for a return at the Monte Carlo tournament in April.

Other top 10 players here on the entry list include No. 2 Andy Murray, No. 5 Stan Wawrinka, Tomas Berdych, Kei Nishikori, David Ferrer, Richard Gasquet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga round it out.

On the women's side, both Serena and Venus Williams are set to return. The BNP Paribas Open women's entry list is led by World No. 1, 21-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, who won this event in  1999 and 2001. She did not play in the event from 2002-2014, but returned last year. World No. 10 and seven-time Grand Slam Champion, Venus also returns for the first time since 2001.

Defending women's singles champion and world No. 2 Simona Halep is back and is joined by five-time Grand Slam champion and World No. 5 Maria Sharapova, who won in Indian Wells twice, 2006 and 2013. Other former BNP Paribas Open champs have also entered: Victoria Azarenka (2012), Caroline Wozniacki (2011), Jelena Janovic (2010) and Ana Ivanovic (2008).

Defending BNP Paribas Open woman's champ Simona Halep.

Other top-ranked players entered are No. 3 Garbine Muguruza, No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska, No. 6 Angelique Kerber, along with Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova.

The first to receive early wild card entry are Grand Slam winner Juan Martin del Potro, American Taylor Fritz and Australian Open quarterfinalist Zhang Shuai. Del Potro, the 2009 U.S.Open champion and 2013 BNP Paribas Open runner-up, returned to action last month in Delray Beach after wrist surgeries sidelined him for the majority of 2014 and 2015. A fan favorite, he's making his sixth appearance in Indian Wells.

Southern California native Fritz, who received a wildcard into the qualifying draw at last year’s BNP Paribas Open, earns a main draw berth in 2016. The 18-year-old won the US Open Junior Championship last fall, captured two Challenger titles and reached the finals in Memphis this season.

Zhang Shuai enters the main draw following a quarterfinal appearance at this year's Australian Open, where one of her victories came against defending BNP champ Simona Halep.

BNP Paribas Open, Martch 7-20, Indian Wells Tennis Garden, 78200 Miles Ave., Indian Wells, www.bnpparibasopen.com

Patti Myers covers all sports from preps to pros and has been along the sidelines for more than 30 years, the first 20 in the middle of sports-crazed Boston. Reach her at [email protected]

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