Top 10 players to watch at Indian Wells Open 2025

Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek are the defending champions.

The Indian Wells Open 2025 is set to begin on March 7, with an epic showdown between the world’s best tennis players. Indian Wells will witness the perfect combination of young talent and experience, with the spotlight majorly being on renowned superstars who aim to establish themselves.

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is a firm favourite in the absence of World No. #1 Jannik Sinner, but will be aware of the Novak Djokovic challenge. Iga Swiatek, a two-time champion at the desert is yet to win a title this season. Djokovic, who holds the record for most title triumphs at Indian Wells, hasn’t won since 2016.

Today, we highlight the top 10 players set to be in the global spotlight during this tournament.

Top players to watch at Indian Wells Open 2025

10. Joao Fonseca

Joao Fonseca became the youngest South American to win an ATP Title after his triumph at the Buenos Aires. After a stunning win against Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open 2025, the world began to take notice of the Brazilian. Many expected him to go the distance in Rio, after his triumph in Argentina but Fonseca succumbed to the pressure, resulting in a round-one loss.

In his Indian Wells debut, the Brazilian will be tested both physically and mentally, as many already hail him as an upcoming superstar.

Also Read: Who is Joao Fonseca? Meet the 10th youngest champion in ATP Tour history

9. Mirra Andreeva

The youngest WTA-1000 winner in the history of the sport arrives in California as one of the frontrunners for the title. Mirra Andreeva exceeded expectations to win the 2025 Dubai Championship. The 17-year-old defeated a formidable lineup, including Markéta Vondroušová, Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina and Clara Tauson to script history.

8. Daniil Medvedev

Daniil Medvedev returns to a venue where he fell short of a title win twice. Losing in the finals of the last two editions to the same opponent (Carlos Alcaraz), the Russian will hope to be third time lucky. But recent form is against Medvedev. Since the beginning of 2024, Medvedev hasn’t won a title and the Russian will be aware that he cannot afford yet another slip-up, as a spot in the top-10 ATP rankings is at stake.

7. Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff started the season with an electrifying win at the United Cup but has fallen away since. As a result, she no longer finds herself amongst the list of title contenders. However, rule out the American at your own peril. Despite several setbacks, the 20-year-old is a generational talent and with the new surfaces which aid players like Gauff, she certainly could spring a surprise.

Also Read: Top five title favourites in women’s singles at Indian Wells Open 2025

6. Stefanos Tsitsipas

Two weeks ago, few saw Stefanos Tsitsipas as an ATP-1000 contender. Struggling for months and starting 2025 poorly, a racquet change turned things around. He won his first ATP-500 title in Dubai, defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime with superb backhand accuracy and net play. Now World No. #9, he must prove his resurgence at the desert.

5. Aryna Sabalenka

World No. #1, Aryna Sabalenka, began 2025 with a title in Brisbane, but suffered a tight loss to Madison Keys in the final. Struggling in Dubai and Qatar, she hopes to rebound in Indian Wells, where conditions mirror her past US Open success. The Belarusian hasn’t won a title in the desert so far and 2025 could be the year when she adds another trophy to her illustrious cabinet.

Also Read: Top 10 players who have withdrawn from Indian Wells Open 2025

4. Elena Rybakina

The 2023 BNP Paribas Open champion, Elena Rybakina, returns to the venue after missing out last year due to illness. The Kazakh has been tormented off-the-court due to the ongoing controversy about her former coach. However, Rybakina did put on a strong performance in Dubai, where she finished as a semi-finalist. The Kazakh’s campaign will be highly followed as she aims to re-enter the top five WTA rankings.

3. Novak Djokovic

The most successful player at the Indian Wells, Novak Djokovic, returns after suffering a second-round defeat last year. A five-time champion in California, the Serbian had last won here in 2016. Ahead of his highly anticipated return to the desert, question marks remain over the 36-year-old’s fitness, as he was seen limping only a couple of weeks ago at the Doha airport.

Also Read: Top five title favourites in men’s singles at Indian Wells Open 2025

2. Iga Swiatek

Two-time Indian Wells winner, Iga Swiatek, was expected to be the favourite for the 2025 edition. However, the last-minute decision to change the nature of courts from slowish hardcourts to US Open-like fast courts puts the Polish at a disadvantage. With this change, it will be interesting to see how Swiatek adapts, as the five-time Grand Slam winner is still looking for her first title of the new season.

Also Read: Indian Wells Open 2025: All you need to know about prize money and points on offer

1. Carlos Alcaraz

The two-time defending champion at the Indian Wells looks slated for a third triumph. Carlos Alcaraz is certainly the top contender for the title, but his own form has not been the greatest. With inconsistency being the biggest concern for the 21-year-old, Alcaraz will be aware that it is his time to shine in the absence of Sinner.

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