The organizers of the BNP Paribas Open have announced a trio of players that has been awarded a wildcard for next month’s tournament.
The prestigious tournament, located in Indian Wells, California, is one of the biggest tournaments held outside of the four Grand Slams. It is classed as a Masters event on the ATP Tour and as a Premier Mandatory Tournament on the WTA Tour. This year will be the 43rd edition of the men’s tournament and the 26th of the women’s.
The wildcard’s for this year’s tournament include the hugely popular Juan Martin Del Potro. The Argentine made his comeback to the tour this week at Delray beach after being out of action for 11 months due to a wrist injury. The 27-year-old will play in the event for the first time since his impressive run back in 2013. Seeded seventh that year, Del Potro defeated third seed Andy Murray and Top seed Novak Djokovic to reach the final. He was denied the title after losing in three sets to Rafael Nadal.
Teenage sensation Taylor Fritz was another recipient of a main draw wildcard. The current US Open boys’ champion recently made headlines after reaching his first ATP final at the age of 18 at the Memphis Open. Fritz became the youngest ATP Tour finalist since Kei Nishikori back in 2008 and the youngest American to reach a tour final since Michael Chang back in 1989. He will play in the Indian Wells main draw for the first time in his career.
In the women’s draw, Australian Open quarter-finalist Zhang Shuai was awarded a place in the main draw. Prior to 2016, the 27-year-old has never won a Grand Slam main draw match, but in Melbourne she defeated four top -50 players to reach the quarterfinals. Zhang has only won one main draw match in Indian Wells, which was back in 2011.
Speaking about the three players, Indian Wells CEO Raymond Moore spoke of his excitement.
“We’re excited to add these three exceptional players to our already incredible fields,” said Moore.
“We know our fans will welcome back Juan Martin after a two-year absence and we are thrilled to have a young American, Taylor Fritz, who has grown up in our own backyard, competing in front of a home crowd. In addition, from what Zhang Shuai showed us in Australia, she is a player for fans to keep an eye on during the tournament.”
The tournament will get underway on March 7th. Novak Djokovic will be bidding to defend the men’s title and Simona Halep for the women’s.
