The 2026 BNP Paribas Open will be the first big tennis tournament since an electric Australian Open in January. Some players have hit the courts for smaller tournaments in between, but for some it will be their first action since.
So, there’s no doubt that we’re expecting the fireworks to continue.
While the suspense of not knowing what will happen in Indian Wells has us on the edge of our seats, we can say for sure that there are a few intriguing storylines that will play out in the California desert.
While we wait to watch it all unfold, these are the three things we’re looking forward to most at this year’s event:
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner rivalry continues
Carlos Alcaraz’s rivalry with Jannik Sinner is the one that defined tennis in 2025. They regularly met on the sport’s biggest stages, and all six times were in the finals of a tournament. Alcaraz won four of those matches.
Sinner beat Alcaraz convincingly to win the ATP Finals, though it was Alcaraz who ended the year ranked No. 1 in the world.
The two will enter the BNP Paribas Open ranked 1 and 2 and on the opposite sides of the draw. While Indian Wells isn’t a Grand Slam, titles here are viewed with nearly as much prestige. Alcaraz has won two Indian Wells titles, but Sinner has yet to win one.
Imagine if they were to meet in the final at this year’s BNP Paribas Open? With Alcaraz going for three and Sinner looking to break through with his first? That would be explosive.
Novak Djokovic’s last run?
No player, save maybe Roger Federer, has been as dominant as Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells. They each hold a record five titles in the California desert, though Djokovic holds the record for most consecutive matches won (19) here.
It’s anyone’s guess whether this will be Djokovic’s last time playing at Indian Wells, but if feels like more than just speculation that it just may be. Following his loss to Alcaraz in the final at the Australian Open in January, the 24-time Grand Slam champion said, “God knows what happens tomorrow, let alone six months or 12 months.” That sounds like someone seriously contemplating his future.
Djokovic did say that he wants to keep competing, and Indian Wells is the first big tournament on the calendar after the Australian Open.
We don’t know if this will be the last time we see Djokovic playing on Stadium Court at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, but the drama of every moment he’s here is sure to be full of energy. If he falls behind in a match, there will be that lingering question as to whether this just may be it.
There’s also that feeling that if this is near the end, and he’s playing as well as he was in Melbourne, he could just go out and win the event for the sixth time.
3. Who is the next to break through at Indian Wells?
This tournament has long been a launching pad for young stars to take their game to the next level. In recent years, Dominic Thiem (2019), Cameron Norrie (2021) and Taylor Fritz (2022) won titles here before winning a major, and last year it was Jack Draper who did it.
The question this year is, who’ll be next to break through? There’s a long list of men capable of doing it. Among them are names such as João Fonseca, Jakub Mensik and Learner Tien.
Then there’s more established players who’ve not yet won a Grand Slam or Indian Wells, such as Holger Rune, Lorenzo Musetti, Arthur Fils and Ben Shelton. All are 23 or younger and that seems to be around the age so many players have their breakthrough.
Other storylines to watch
Andrew John covers the BNP Paribas Open for The Desert Sun and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at andrew.john@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: BNP Paribas Open 2026 Men’s storylines from Alcaraz vs. Sinner to Djokovic
Reporting by Andrew John, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
