Tennis News

Berrettini wins, cramps immediately in bizarre Indian Wells scene!

Matteo Berrettini cramped immediately after his final shot en route to a first-round win Wednesday at the BNP Paribas Open, sealing victory at the perfect moment.

Upon clinching his 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 win against Adrian Mannarino, the Italian fell to the ground in pain and sat there for roughly five minutes while receiving a visit from the ATP supervisor and physio. Smiling in relief despite the pain, Berrettini left everything on court to earn a second-round showdown against fourth seed Alexander Zverev.

“I fought really hard, until the very last point,” Berrettini said in his on-court interview. “At the beginning of the third [set], I started to feel a little bit of cramping. I was little bit surprised at the beginning but then I remembered that I was sick until three days ago, so I was like, ‘Okay, it’s normal’.”

Berrettini entered the match 0-2 against Mannarino and the Frenchman started Wednesday’s clash by winning his sixth consecutive set against the Italian. The 29-year-old then leaned on his backhand slice to set up opportunities for his booming forehand, while also dropping just five points behind his first serve in the decider, according to Infosys ATP Stats, to advance.

Berrettini will next look to improve upon his 3-4 Lexus ATP Head2Head record against Zverev.

In other action, Gael Monfils became the second-oldest match winner (39 years, six months) in tournament history by ousting Alexis Galarneau 6-3, 6-4. Only Ivo Karlovic (40) was older when he reached the fourth round in 2019.

The Frenchman will meet ninth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second round.

Reilly Opelka won an all-American clash against Ethan Quinn 7-5, 7-6(3) while Jenson Brooksby downed Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 6-4. Gabriel Diallo defeated Mattia Bellucci 7-6(5), 6-4 and Zizou Bergs was a 6-3, 6-4 winner against Jan-Lennard Struff.

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Lahyani reflects on Alcaraz, Zverev & the 'bee invasion' at Indian Wells

One announcement was all it took to bring an ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final to an unexpected standstill.

When Carlos Alcaraz met Alexander Zverev in the 2024 quarter-finals at BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, few could have predicted that the spotlight would soon swing from baseline brilliance to airborne chaos.

Yet as chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani recalls, the moment demanded instinct over script. Bees began swarming above Stadium 1, clustering around the spider cam and quickly spreading into the playing area.

“I said ‘Play suspended due to bee invasion’,” Lahyani recalled during an interview with ATP Media. “I could have said anything. For me, the most important [thing] was the safety of the players. It was like a swarm. In a few seconds, there were thousands and thousands [of bees]. So I just wanted to pay attention to Carlos, because Alexander was on the other side — he was safe.

“I made the announcement as quickly as possible. Then you saw what happened… The spider cam came and we were outside in the entrance. We all started joking, because they put on the TV: Player suspended due to bee invasion. In the end, I believe this crazy moment became fun for the fans when the beekeeper came. He was the one who stole the show — he was a hero!”.

As players and officials waited in the corridor, local beekeeper Lance Davis was called in to deal with the swarm that had settled around the spider cam. Without wearing protective gear, Davis calmly vacuumed up the bees, methodically clearing the cluster from above Stadium 1 and allowing play to resume once the area was deemed safe.

Spectators who had initially been unsure what was unfolding soon began applauding as Davis worked, and the delay took on a lighter tone once the situation was under control. By the time he made his way down to court level to confirm it was safe to resume, he had become an unexpected fan favourite.

The delay lasted close to two hours, yet the quarter-final in Indian Wells is now remembered as much for the beekeeper’s intervention as for the tennis that followed.

In a tournament known for its on-court quality, the combination of Lahyani’s quick decision-making and Davis’ heroic response produced one of the most recognisable non-tennis moments on the ATP Tour.

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ATP Statement – Player Update

Following the cancellation of the ATP Challenger Tour events in Fujairah, the ATP has been working closely with tournament organisers to support players on site.

Accommodation and essential needs continue to be covered by the tournament, and a charter flight has been arranged and fully funded by the ATP to assist with departures from the region at no cost to players.

Separately, the vast majority of players who were in Dubai have successfully departed today on selected flights. The safety and wellbeing of our players, support teams and staff members remains our highest priority, and we continue to remain in close contact with those affected.

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Draper on Indian Wells return: 'I wouldn't be here if I didn't feel I could go all the way'

Much has changed for Jack Draper in the past 12 months. Last year, the British lefty won the biggest title of his career at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where he defeated Carlos Alcaraz and then Holger Rune in the final to triumph.

This year’s arrival in the California desert carries a different context. Draper is competing in just his second ATP Tour event since the US Open last August, after struggling with a left arm injury for the past eight months. The 24-year-old made his return to the ATP Tour last week in Dubai, where he defeated Quentin Halys he lost to Arthur Rinderknech.

Despite the limited match play, Draper is not lowering expectations at the first ATP Masters 1000 event of the season.

“I feel like I wouldn’t be here, wouldn’t be in the tournament if I didn’t feel like I could go all the way again,” Draper said in his pre-tournament press conference on Tuesday. “That was probably the primary reason I didn’t go out to Australia, just purely because if I’m going to enter a tournament, I’m going to be in the event, I want to feel like I can be physically ready to not just take part but to go all the way, because I believe in my tennis so much that when I get out there. I know that I can play some great stuff.”

While sidelined, Draper has used his time away to build. The No. 14 player in the PIF ATP Rankings is hopeful the work he has done will benefit him in the months to come, with a key priority on staying healthy.

“I’m just very grateful to be back on the court, to be back on the Tour,” Draper said. “I’m feeling like I have improved a lot as a player over the last eight months, but I do recognise that I have been away from the game, and it is a bit of a step up in level to just come straight back to it after that amount of time out of the game. So let’s see what happens.

“I’m sort of not overthinking things too much. My main priority is looking after my body, making sure that when I’m able to hit the match court that I’m fully prepared for what’s to come, and I always believe in my tennis, so let’s see how far I can go.”

Having previously dealt with injury setbacks, Draper says experience has helped him better manage his return.

“I know from some of the injuries I have had in the past I have made mistakes coming back too early, and I think when you do come back too early, you can lose a lot of trust in your body. I haven’t had the sort of injury where I have not been able to be on court at all. I have been able to practice, been able to still get the reps in over a long period of time.

“I just haven’t been able to get to the point where I’m able to play at the highest intensity I want and go back to back as I’ve wanted and as I want to do on the Tour to make it again to be a top player. I don’t have any fear around my arm. I know that I’ve got great people around me. I’ve got good experience of it now, and so I just want to make sure that I’m doing all the right things to be able to just go week after week and stay on the Tour.”

There has also been a visible change since fans last saw him lift the trophy in Indian Wells, a fresh buzz cut marking what he describes as a reset.

“There is nothing like a buzz cut,” Draper said. “Honestly, you don’t have to do anything… I have just been out for a long period of time. Eight months is difficult. Especially in an individual sport, you become quite isolated. There is a lot of difficult moments, and when you come out of that and you start to feel better within yourself. [I] just fancied a fresh start.”

Draper will open against Fabian Marozsan or Roberto Bautista Agut and could meet Novak Djokovic in the fourth round.

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Djokovic, Alcaraz lead congratulations as Sabalenka announces engagement

Novak Djokovic led the congratulations for Aryna Sabalenka on Tuesday after the WTA No. 1 announced her engagement to Georgios Frangulis ahead of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

Sabalenka shared the news on social media, drawing messages from stars on both the WTA and ATP Tours. Among the first to respond was Djokovic, who has long shared a friendly rapport with Sabalenka, both on and off the court.

The 24-time major champion commented with three love hearts on Sabalenka’s Instagram post. The pair have often spoken highly of one another, and their camaraderie was on full display at Wimbledon last year when they teamed up for a light-hearted joint press conference appearance.

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A post shared by Aryna Sabalenka (@arynasabalenka)

Carlos Alcaraz, the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings and a two-time Indian Wells champion, also chimed in on Sabalenka’s post. “Congratulatiooooons!,” the Spaniard wrote.

American star Ben Shelton joined the chorus of support. “Congratsss,” the 23-year-old said.

The top-seeded Alcaraz and third-seeded Djokovic have landed in the same half of the draw at the ATP Masters 1000 event, which runs from 4-15 March. The 22-year-old Spaniard levelled his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Djokovic at 5-5 after winning their Australian Open final in January to become the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam.

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Alcaraz: The key to the good level I have been playing is…

Carlos Alcaraz, who is the top seed at the BNP Paribas Open, believes the key to his perfect 12-0 start in 2026 does not have to do with forehands and backhands.

“I think on the court I control my emotions even better. I would say that was the key of the good level of tennis that I have been playing lately,” Alcaraz said during his pre-tournament press conference. “Because on the court, I just control myself, and in a calm place I can find the solutions.”

The Spaniard completed his Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open and maintained his momentum with a run to the Doha title. The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings is channeling his mindset into wins early in the season.

“When I was getting mad or when I was playing bad or whatever, I just found the right way again, because I was calm,” Alcaraz said. “I was controlling myself and controlling my emotions and I was maintaining my good focus. I would say I was doing that even better than before.”

Alcaraz now is at a happy hunting ground at Indian Wells, where he owns a 20-3 record according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. The 22-year-old claimed glory in the California desert in 2023 and 2024.

For the first time, Alcaraz arrives at Indian Wells undefeated. The top seed is full of confidence leading into the season’s first ATP Masters 1000 event.

“I just [am] really proud about my start of the year,” Alcaraz said. “Hopefully the winning streak continues or I would try that, but I’m just happy to see myself playing great tennis.”

Alcaraz will begin his pursuit of his third Indian Wells title against former World No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov or surging French lefty Terence Atmane.

“It’s been going really great, to be honest,” Alcaraz said. “Feeling a little bit different compared to other years, but [I have had a] couple good practices. [I am] back and ready, so it’s been good and I’m excited to begin.”

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What is the Indian Wells tennis schedule?

Opening day of the 2026 BNP Paribas Open features a star-studded lineup with Stefanos Tsitsipas, Denis Shapovalov, Marin Cilic, #NextGenATP star Joao Fonseca and more in first-round action on Wednesday.

Reilly Opelka will play fellow American Ethan Quinn in the first afternoon-session match on Stadium 1. Tsitsipas, the 2021 quarter-finalist, will face Shapovalov in the final evening-session match on Stadium 1.

Cilic will square off against wild card Zachary Svajda on Stadium 2, while Fonseca will take on Raphael Collignon on Stadium 3.

View the full Indian Wells Wednesday order of play below.

ORDER OF PLAY – WEDNESDAY, 04 MARCH 2026

Stadium 1 – start 11 a.m.
WTA – Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) vs Paula Badosa (ESP)

Not Before 1 p.m.
ATP – Reilly Opelka (USA) vs Ethan Quinn (USA)
ATP – Matteo Berrettini (ITA) vs Adrian Mannarino (FRA)

Not Before 6 p.m.
WTA – Bianca Andreescu (CAN) vs Kamilla Rakhimova (UZB)
ATP – Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) vs Denis Shapovalov (CAN)

Stadium 2 – start 11 a.m.
ATP – Camilo Ugo Carabelli (ARG) vs [WC] Martin Damm (USA)
WTA – Zeynep Sonmez (TUR) vs McCartney Kessler (USA)
WTA – Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva (AND) vs Caty McNally (USA)

Not Before 6 p.m.
ATP – [WC] Zachary Svajda (USA) vs Marin Cilic (CRO)
WTA – Sloane Stephens (USA) vs Camila Osorio (COL)

Stadium 3 – start 11 a.m.
WTA – Sorana Cirstea (ROU) vs Tatjana Maria (GER)
WTA – Talia Gibson (AUS) vs Ann Li (USA)
WTA – Himeno Sakatsume (JPN) vs Alycia Parks (USA)
ATP – [WC] Gael Monfils (FRA) vs Qualifier
ATP – Joao Fonseca (BRA) vs Raphael Collignon (BEL)

Stadium 4 – start 11 a.m.
ATP – Mariano Navone (ARG) vs Marcos Giron (USA)
ATP – Mattia Bellucci (ITA) vs Gabriel Diallo (CAN)
ATP – Jenson Brooksby (USA) vs Alexei Popyrin (AUS)
WTA – Jaqueline Cristian (ROU) vs Janice Tjen (INA)
WTA – Dayana Yastremska (UKR) vs Shuai Zhang (CHN)

Stadium 5 – start 11 a.m.
ATP – Quentin Halys (FRA) vs Adam Walton (AUS)
ATP – Zizou Bergs (BEL) vs Jan-Lennard Struff (GER)

Followed By
ATP – Possible Court Change – Marton Fucsovics (HUN) vs Qualifier

Stadium 6 – start 11 a.m.
WTA – Kimberly Birrell (AUS) vs Oksana Selekhmeteva
WTA – Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse (ROU)
WTA – Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (ESP) vs Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA)

Stadium 7 – start 12 p.m.
ATP – Daniel Altmaier (GER) vs Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB)

Not Before 2 p.m.
ATP – Possible Court Change – Qualifier vs James Duckworth (AUS)

Followed By
ATP – Possible Court Change – Qualifier vs Qualifier

Stadium 9 – start 12 p.m.
WTA – Anastasia Potapova (AUT) vs Marina Stakusic (CAN)
WTA – Ella Seidel (GER) vs Anastasia Zakharova
WTA – Dalma Galfi (HUN) vs Anna Blinkova

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Alcaraz, Sinner nominated for 2026 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have been nominated for the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards in the World Sportsman of the Year category, with #NextGenATP star Joao Fonseca shortlisted for World Breakthrough of the Year.

The nominations continue a strong recent run for men’s tennis at the Laureus Awards. The most recent male player to win World Sportsman of the Year was Novak Djokovic, who claimed the honour in 2024. Alcaraz and Sinner are both aiming to lift the award for the first time.

Alcaraz is already a Laureus winner, having earned the Breakthrough of the Year Award in 2023 following his maiden major title at the US Open and rise to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings. Since then, the Spaniard has continued to add to his trophy haul at both major and ATP Masters 1000 level. In 2025, the Spaniard won a Tour-leading eight titles, including majors at Roland Garros and the US Open.

Sinner, also seeking his first Laureus Award, won the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2025 and captured a second consecutive Nitto ATP Finals crown on home soil in Turin. The Italian was also the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings from June 2024 through September 2025, before Alcaraz climbed back to top spot after winning the US Open.

Fonseca’s nomination in the Breakthrough category recognises the Brazilian’s rapid rise on Tour. The 19-year-old won two ATP Tour titles in 2025 and climbed to a career-high No. 24. The 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards take place at Cibeles Palace in Madrid on 20 April.

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Sinner reveals subtle change he's making to his game at Indian Wells

Much has been made about the incremental gains at the top of the men’s game, and Jannik Sinner is no exception. Ahead of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, the Italian spoke candidly about the long hours he and his team have invested in fine-tuning his game.

“I think we are always trying to progress with our games,” Sinner said during his pre-tournament press conference on Tuesday. “I feel like we are doing a great job. It has been a very hard practice week here for me. We spent many, many hours of practice.”

Central to that improvement is a subtle but significant tactical shift. Sinner revealed he is looking to inject greater intent into his baseline exchanges, an area already considered one of the strongest components of his game.

“[I am] very happy with how I’m feeling on the court, and obviously we try to go as far as possible in the tournament,” Sinner said. “In the same time, we also try to improve a couple of things. I’m trying to be slightly more aggressive at times on the baseline, and then we see how it goes.”

Away from the competitive focus, Sinner has also given fans a closer look at his life off court through his YouTube content, something he sees as a meaningful way to bridge the gap between athlete and audience.

“I feel like fans, they don’t know exactly how we are as a person, so this helps also to show how I am off the courts. I think it’s something great,” Sinner said.

The Italian admitted he is a consumer of similar content himself.

“Me personally, I love to watch also other YouTube videos from other sports people, and it’s of course something different,” Sinner said. “You have behind my team what makes it by itself. You know, I don’t have to worry about anything else.”

Sinner is chasing his sixth ATP Masters 1000 crown this fortnight but first in Indian Wells, having won all of the other five hard-court events at this level. The World No. 2 Sinner trails World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz by 2,800 points in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. The Italian, a two-time Indian Wells semi-finalist, starts against James Duckworth or a qualifier in the California desert.

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Mensik wins January's Stella Artois ATP Perfect Serve with Auckland final win

Jakub Mensik is January’s Stella Artois ATP Perfect Serve winner and he earned it in style.

The 20-year-old Czech launched his season by lifting the ATP 250 trophy in Auckland, delivering a serving masterclass when it mattered most to secure his second tour-level crown.

Facing Sebastian Baez in the final, Mensik ignited the match at 1-1 in the opening set. Under pressure, he fired four consecutive aces to hold — a statement game that set the tone for the showdown. Relentless and precise from the line, he finished with 18 aces en route to a commanding 6-3, 7-6(7) victory.

Watch the Stella Artois ATP Perfect Serve January contenders:

The Stella Artois ATP Perfect Serve award gives fans the chance to vote for their favourite magical moments from the line. Stella Artois, one of the world’s leading premium beer brands, is a Gold Partner and Official Beer of the ATP Tour through 2028.

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