Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic will be returning to Indian Wells for the BNP Paribas Open after a five-year-long hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic coupled with the travel restrictions prevalent in the United States of America (USA).
Former tournament champion Rafael Nadal is set to return to the thick of things too, after sitting out of the Australian Open because of a muscle tear. Djokovic last appeared in the Indian Wells in 2019, and will be chasing his sixth title in an event considered to be the biggest one outside of the four Grand Slams in the tennis calendar year.
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The 2020 BNP Paribas Open was cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak and Djokovic missed the next three editions as the United States did not allow unvaccinated foreigners to enter the country.
Among the other names in the star-studded field are reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz, who in 2022 became the first American man since Andre Agassi in 2001 to win the Indian Wells title.
On the women's side, world number one Iga Swiatek will be joined by 2023 Indian Wells champion Elena Rybakina, Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka and Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula.
Naomi Osaka, an Indian Wells champion in 2018, and 2019 finalist Angelique Kerber, are also expected to return for the first time since 2022 following maternity leave. This year's BNP Paribas Open runs from March 3-17.
(With Reuters inputs)
