Top five youngest men's singles champions at Indian Wells Open

Boris Becker holds the record for the youngest male Indian Wells Open winner.

The BNP Paribas Open, held every March at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California, is a prestigious outdoor hardcourt tournament. As part of the ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 tours, it is often regarded as the sport’s unofficial ‘Fifth Grand Slam’.

John Newcombe was the inaugural champion of the tournament. The record for most titles won is currently held by Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, both with five wins each. Year after year, the event showcases spectacular performances, offering rising stars a platform to shine and make history. With that in mind, let’s explore some of the youngest champions in Indian Wells history.

Also Read: Indian Wells Open: Full list of winners

On that note, let’s take a look at some of the youngest male winners in the Indian Wells Open history.

5. Rafael Nadal – 20 years, 9 months, and 15 days old

Spanish legend Rafael Nadal is one of three men who won three titles at the tennis paradise. His first victory at Indian Wells came in 2007, when he crushed eventual 5-time Indian Wells champion Novak Djokovic in straight sets. The Spaniard relished the slow nature of surfaces in California, as his game is far better suited for such surfaces.

Nadal finishes his career as an all-time tennis great with 92 ATP titles and 22 Grand Slam trophies, including 14 at the Roland Garros, and is deservingly known as the King of Clay.

Also Read: Top 10 richest tennis players of all-time

4. Jim Courier – 20 years, 6 months, and 27 days old

Two-time Indian Wells champion Jim Courier won his maiden Indian Wells trophy at the age of 20 years and 6 months old. The American defeated Guy Forget in the 1991 final, in a mouth-watering five-set contest. Courier eventually ended his career with 23 ATP titles, including 4 Grand Slam trophies (Australian Open 1992, 1993 and French Open 1991, 1992).

3. Michael Chang – 20 years and 15 days

Michael Chang downed Andrei Chesnokov in the final of the 1992 Indian Wells Open to win his first and only trophy at the desert. The American called time on his career with 34 titles in his cabinet and briefly held the record for the youngest man in history to win a singles major, winning the 1989 French Open at 17 years and 109 days old

Also Read: Top six best individual seasons in tennis men’s singles

2. Carlos Alcaraz – 19 years, 10 months, and 15 days

Carlos Alcaraz holds the record for being the second youngest champion at Indian Wells and the youngest defending champion at a very young age. The Spanish sensation captured back-to-back titles at the desert, defeating Daniil Medvedev in the 2023 and 2024 finals.

As of March 2025, Alcaraz has already amassed four Grand Slam titles, including two Wimbledon Championships, along with one US Open and French Open title each. With his career still in its early stages, Alcaraz not only has the potential to challenge Federer and Djokovic’s joint record for most Indian Wells titles but could also surpass Djokovic’s all-time Grand Slam tally by the time he hangs up his racket.

1. Boris Becker – 19 years and 3 months

Boris Becker had already won two Grand Slam titles before the age of 19, and then in 1987, he won his first Indian Wells trophy. Becker is the youngest winner in Indian Wells history, his raw power and aggression make him a standout player amongst his contemporaries.

Also Read: Top five youngest men’s singles players to achieve Career Grand Slam

The German capped off his career with 49 ATP titles, including 6 Grand Slam titles (Wimbledon 1985, 1986, 1989; US Open 1989; Australian Open 1991, 1996). His 1987 triumph in California came via a comprehensive straight sets victory over Stefan Edberg.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram