What is the Indian Wells Open in Tennis

The Indian Wells Open, officially known as the BNP Paribas Open, is a premier annual tennis tournament held in Indian Wells, California. The event is often referred to as the “fifth Grand Slam,” because it attracts many of the best players from both the ATP and WTA tours. This is amazing for fans because it offers two weeks of high-caliber tennis action in a picturesque desert setting.​

Dates and Venue

If you are eager to watch this spectacular event it, the 2025 Indian Wells Open is scheduled from March 5 to March 16, with main-draw play commencing on March 6.

The matches unfold at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, which is a state-of-the-art facility boasting. The image above shows how the facility looks, boasting a whopping 29 courts. This includes the 16,100-seat Stadium 1, or better known as Center Court, which is the second-largest tennis-specific stadium in the world.

Prize Money and Tennis Points

This year’s Indian Wells Open tournament features a total prize pool of $19,387,080. What is unique to this tennis tournament is that the prize money gets equally divided between the ATP and WTA tours. This means that both the men’s and women’s singles champions will each receive $1,201,125 as well as 1,000 ranking points.

A Brief History of the Tennis Tournament

Established in 1974, the Indian Wells Open has evolved into one of the most prestigious events on the tennis calendar. As stated before it is often considered to be the “5th major” in tennis. The growth of the tennis tournament in stature is reflected in its impressive attendance figures, with the 2024 tournament setting a record of 493,440 spectators across the two weeks. The event has been a pioneer in promoting gender equality in sports, celebrating 15 years of equal prize money for men and women as of 2025.

The Indian Wells Open is also known for many of the celebrities it attracts. Ben Stiller, Charlize Theron, Will Ferrell, Mike Tyson and Bill Gates are almost guaranteed to show up. And new faces like Tom Holland, Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner are all new faces that have been in attendance recently.

Iconic Moments

With the rich history and countless tennis points played over the years, Indian Wells has been the backdrop for numerous memorable moments: and we know that 2025 will be no different, lets looks at some iconic moments now:

1. Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal (2017, Fourth Round)

• Federer dismantled Nadal 6-2, 6-3 in a surprisingly one-sided match.
• This was their first meeting after the epic 2017 Australian Open final.
• Federer was ultra-aggressive, taking the ball early and dominating Nadal like never before.

2. Novak Djokovic vs. Roger Federer (2014, Final)

• Djokovic won 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) in a dramatic comeback.
• Federer was in top form, but Djokovic showed mental toughness in the decider.
• This was part of Djokovic’s dominance over Federer in tight matches.

3. Serena Williams vs. Victoria Azarenka (2016, Final)

• Azarenka stunned Serena 6-4, 6-4 to win the title.
• This was a huge moment as Serena was the overwhelming favorite.
• Azarenka became one of the few players to beat Serena multiple times in finals.

4. Rafael Nadal vs. Daniil Medvedev (2022, Semifinal)

• Nadal defeated Medvedev 6-3, 6-3, proving he still had the upper hand.
• This match came just weeks after their classic Australian Open 2022 final.
• Nadal’s tactical adjustments neutralized Medvedev’s power.

5. Bianca Andreescu vs. Angelique Kerber (2019, Final)

• The then-teenage Andreescu shocked Kerber 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
• She became the first wild card to win Indian Wells.
• This was a breakout moment before she went on to win the US Open later that year.

6. Naomi Osaka vs. Daria Kasatkina (2018, Final)

• Osaka dominated 6-3, 6-2 to win her first big title.
• This was a preview of her rise to becoming a multiple Grand Slam champion.

7. Juan Martín del Potro vs. Roger Federer (2018, Final)

• Del Potro won an epic three-set battle, 6-4, 6-7(8), 7-6(2).
• He saved three championship points to deny Federer.
• This was Del Potro’s first Masters 1000 title after years of injury struggles.

Fun Facts

• Record Attendance: The tournament consistently draws large crowds, with the 2024 edition setting a record of 493,440 attendees, underscoring its popularity among tennis fans.
• “Tennis Paradise”: The Indian Wells Tennis Garden’s stunning desert landscape and top-notch facilities have earned it the nickname “Tennis Paradise,” making it a favorite among players and spectators alike.
• Equal Prize Money: Since 2009, the BNP Paribas Open has awarded equal prize money to male and female players, championing gender equality in the sport.

Conclusion

The Indian Wells Open continues to be a highlight of the tennis season, offering thrilling matches, historic moments, and a celebration of the sport’s best talents. This year the 2025 Indian Wells Open looks like it can be another amazing spectacle for the game of tennis.