The 2025 tennis season is barely two months previous, however there has already been a full yr’s value of surprises. From the controversial suspension of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, to Madison Keys profitable her first main title on the Australian Open, to a abdomen virus that took out a lot of the sector at Acapulco final week and the wild-card debacle surrounding Venus Williams, there was no scarcity of headlines.
Now the respective excursions head to the California desert for the 1000-level (the best after majors and the year-end finals) BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, beginning off the Sunshine Double portion of the calendar with the Miami Open up subsequent. Whereas we won’t get to each storyline value watching — apologies to anybody on the lookout for ideas on who may need a heel flip like Danielle Collins did in Melbourne — these are the most important questions coming into the 2025 BNP Paribas Open earlier than the primary draw will get underway Wednesday.
Who will step up with Jannik Sinner out?
Earlier than we dig in right here, it is value noting Sinner’s unbelievable stretch for the reason that begin of 2024. In the course of the previous 14 months, the Italian has received three main titles (2024 and 2025 Australian Open and 2024 US Open), three 1000-level occasions and the 2024 ATP Finals. He’s at present serving a three-month doping suspension and is out of motion till Might. And but nonetheless, he has practically a 3,000 level lead within the rankings over everybody else. He reached the semifinals at Indian Wells in 2024, took the title in Miami and would have simply been the favourite to win each.
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Sinner’s absence this yr leaves a large alternative for a number of others — and the obvious is Carlos Alcaraz. The present world No. 3 is the two-time defending champion and appears to thrive within the California solar. He is had an inconsistent season to date, dropping within the quarterfinals on the Australian Open and in Qatar however profitable the Rotterdam title. Being at a well-known website like Indian Wells might be precisely what he must get again on observe and take over the tour.
World No. 2 Alexander Zverev is also a contender. He misplaced to Sinner within the Australian Open ultimate and has since gone 4-3 — however has received three 1000-level hard-court titles in his profession, together with most not too long ago on the Paris Masters in November. He is a two-time Indian Wells quarterfinalist, together with final yr, and is able to going even additional. Daniil Medvedev, at present ranked sixth, has had a difficult season and has by no means cherished the circumstances at Indian Wells (each on the court docket and with the air con inside) however he reached the ultimate in 2023 and may all the time be thought-about a menace at hard-court occasions.
To not point out, 2022 champion and Southern California native Taylor Fritz performed one of the best tennis of his profession within the ultimate months of 2024 and will probably be motivated to do properly in entrance of a house crowd and at a spot the place he is received earlier than. He reached the ultimate on the US Open and the ATP Finals and misplaced to Sinner in each occasions, however he is confirmed he can beat nearly everybody else. He had a disappointing third spherical end on the Australian Open and needed to withdraw from Acapulco with an belly damage, but when he is wholesome, he is definitely one to observe.
And, after all, do not forget about that man named Novak Djokovic. He is nonetheless fairly good. (Extra on him under)
Will the season’s pattern of sudden winners proceed on the ladies’s aspect?
After a number of years of unpredictability, it seemed as if a gaggle of elite gamers had emerged atop the ladies’s sport, most notably Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff. Firstly of 2025, that trio — who’re at present the highest 3-ranked gamers on the planet — appeared to be the favorites for each event. The season opened with Sabalenka nabbing the trophy on the Brisbane Open and Gauff main the USA staff over Swiatek’s Poland within the United Cup ultimate.
However then the Australian Open occurred and Madison Keys, who turned 30 final month, confirmed everybody how exceptional the depth of expertise is on the WTA Tour. She had a staggering fortnight, beating Swiatek within the semifinals and two-time defending champion Sabalenka within the ultimate, and residing as much as the potential many had seen in her properly over a decade in the past. And greater than that, it appeared to remind different gamers of their very own capabilities as properly.
Since Keys’ shocking victory in Melbourne, there was a distinct champion each week, together with throughout the two 1000-level occasions, wherein Amanda Anisimova (Doha) and 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva (Dubai) received the most important titles of their younger careers. Different winners embrace Belinda Bencic, who not too long ago returned from maternity depart, and Ekaterina Alexandrova, in addition to Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro, who each collected new {hardware} on Sunday with statement-making routs within the Austin and Merida finals, respectively.
It is not simply that the present “Huge-ish Three” have not received tournaments, they had been hardly even an element throughout the Center East swing. Sabalenka received one match in each 1000-level occasions, and Gauff was upset in her opening matches at each. Swiatek fared higher, and reached the semis in Doha and the quarters in Dubai. And if anybody is aware of learn how to win at Indian Wells, it is her. She’s the defending champion and likewise received the title in 2022. And all three will definitely be keen to show issues round and get again to their profitable methods at Indian Wells.
However after all, Keys, who hasn’t performed since Australia, is able to profitable and is extra assured than ever. Others, like Anisimova, Andreeva, Pegula, Navarro and even Bencic or 2023 champion Elena Rybakina, may do it as properly. So, sure, it will be very fascinating and may give a real vibe test to the state of the season.
How will Novak Djokovic fare?
This is perhaps the most important query of all coming into the event. The 24-time main champion needed to retire from his semifinal match towards Zverev on the Australian Open after the primary set resulting from a hamstring damage, and has performed one occasion since. Previous to the Qatar Open, Djokovic mentioned he was “nearly 100%” however after dropping within the first spherical in straight units to Matteo Berrettini, he was seen limping into the airport, sparking hypothesis about his damage. As of now, he stays within the Indian Wells draw and will probably be joined by his coach Andy Murray. Djokovic acquired a first-round bye, then will play towards both a qualifier or Nick Kyrgios.
However, and that is value mentioning, we’re speaking about Novak Djokovic right here and there is a motive he is received 24 Slam titles and 40 Masters 1000-level trophies, together with 5 at Indian Wells. Whereas he hasn’t had the outcomes over the previous 14 months that he is grow to be accustomed to — profitable Olympic gold marked his lone title final season — he nonetheless is likely one of the greatest within the sport and may all the time be thought-about a legit contender. And never that he wants any extra motivation, however one other title would make him simply the third man within the Open Period to win 100 tour-level singles trophies.
Can an American win the title?
Sure, completely. The operative phrase right here is “may,” nevertheless it’s doable, and possibly even lifelike.
On the ladies’s aspect, there are a number of who may do it. For the primary time since 2003, there are three American ladies ranked inside the highest 5 — Gauff, Pegula and Keys — and all three could have the assist of the group and have received 1000-level tournaments, or larger, earlier than. Navarro (No. 8), reigning Miami Open champion Danielle Collins (No. 14), and Anisimova (No. 18) are all additionally within the high 20 and may beat nearly anybody on their greatest days.
However regardless of success nearly in every single place else, no American girl has received at Indian Wells since Serena Williams in 2001. Will this be the yr these fortunes get reversed?
As for the boys, Fritz, the world No. 4, definitely leads the cost however a number of others additionally deserve point out right here. Tommy Paul (No. 11), Ben Shelton (No. 12), and Frances Tiafoe (No. 17) thrive in entrance of the house crowds and have all been to main semifinals earlier than so know what it takes to win on an enormous stage. Reilly Opelka, the previous world No. 17 and present No. 114, continues his return from a prolonged damage absence and will additionally shock. He reached the ultimate at Brisbane to open the yr and recorded a win over Djokovic within the quarterfinals.
Can anybody win the elusive Sunshine Double?
Simply eleven gamers — seven males and 4 ladies — have achieved the feat. The checklist is actually a who’s who of tennis historical past and Djokovic, Roger Federer and Steffi Graf are the one ones who’ve carried out it a number of instances.
Swiatek achieved it most not too long ago, in 2022 throughout her record-setting 37-match win streak. However whereas she made it look simple on the time, it’s something however. With simply days between the ultimate in Indian Wells and the beginning of Miami, enjoying in each requires touring 2,600 miles and adapting between two totally different climates. Staying wholesome and centered is a problem for even one of the best gamers.
Alcaraz got here shut in 2023 by reaching the Miami semifinals, however merely ran out of fuel within the third set towards Sinner. He is a much more skilled participant now, and could also be higher ready if in that scenario at this time.
Might Alcaraz or Swiatek do it in 2025? Frankly, nobody has fairly proven the consistency this season that might be wanted to drag it off. However one event can change the whole lot.
