For decades, Southern California has been a powerhouse of tennis talent, producing legends who have shaped the sport. As the 2025 BNP Paribas Open kicks off, a new generation of SoCal standouts is ready to leave its mark in the desert. From seasoned pros to rising stars, these local players are set to compete on one of the biggest stages in tennis.  

With American contenders making waves on both the men’s and women’s tours, could this be the year a Southern Californian lifts the trophy at Indian Wells once again? It’s been 24 years since Serena Williams and Andre Agassi triumphed in Tennis Paradise, and in the 22 tournaments since, only one American—Taylor Fritz in 2022—has captured the title. That drought may soon come to an end.  

The world’s best players will descend upon the desert for the 36th edition of this prestigious outdoor hard-court event, with over $9,693,540 in prize money on the line.

Taylor Fritz

Leading a talented group of American men vying for victory on home soil is 2022 BNP Paribas Open champion and current World No. 4 Taylor Fritz from Rancho Santa Fe. As one of the brightest stars in American tennis, Fritz has firmly established himself as a force to be reckoned with, having claimed his first Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells in 2022 against none other than Rafael Nadal. With his explosive serve and aggressive baseline play, Fritz is ready to contend for another title at this prestigious tournament. His success on the ATP Tour, combined with the advantage of playing in his home country, positions him as one of the top contenders to lift the trophy in 2025, alongside a talented field of rising American stars eager to make their mark at Indian Wells.

After an inspiring breakthrough run to the US Open final last summer, expectations were high for Taylor Fritz heading into 2025. However, the year has gotten off to a somewhat mixed start. While he helped lead the U.S. team to victory at the United Cup, his results on the ATP Tour have been inconsistent. As the top seed at both the Dallas Open and Delray Beach Open, where he was the two-time defending champion, he was only able to notch a single win at each event. Fritz also withdrew from Acapulco due to an ongoing abdominal injury that had been bothering him since the week before Dallas.

“I have been playing through the injury, hoping that it could get better because several parts of my game were and still are pain free. I’m at a point now where it has not improved and it’s frustrating to be playing when I know I can’t play 100% and am avoiding certain shots or just hitting shots differently then I normally would to avoid the pain,” Fritz shared on Instagram. “Acapulco has always been one of my favorite events and I’m really sorry to let the tournament down. I’m hoping that giving it this week to rest and rehab will get me back to 100% soon.”

This wouldn’t be the first time Taylor Fritz has battled through injury. Known for his love of competition, hard courts bring out the very best in him. During his 2022 Indian Wells title run, he fought through a “freak ankle injury” sustained just before the final. Despite the setback, Fritz pushed on, playing some of the finest tennis of his career to claim the title with a convincing victory over Nadal.

His hard-court pedigree was on full display as he became the first American man in 15 years to reach a Grand Slam singles final at the US Open, showcasing his mental toughness and determination. Though his season start has been inconsistent, with an early exit to Gael Monfils in Australia, Fritz’s strong work ethic and determination to prove himself should carry him far as the Sunshine Swing events approach. With that resilience, he’s determined to regain his rhythm on home soil before setting his sights on the European clay season. A mainstay in the top 10 for years, Fritz thrives in the desert conditions and feels right at home as a Southern California native. The memory of his victory here could ignite a strong 2025. Now, with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner—the only player who stood in Fritz’s way of taking home the US Open trophy last summer—is sidelined for a three-month period due to his doping suspension, and with back-to-back champion Carlos Alcaraz still in the mix, the question remains: Does Fritz have what it takes to reclaim the title he won in 2022? 

With a No. 3 seed and a first-round bye, Fritz gets to kick back and watch as Matteo Gigante and Sebastian Baez battle it out for the right to face him. The defending U.S. No. 1 is a proven force on these courts, and whoever emerges from that matchup will have their hands full against a player who thrives in the desert.

Fritz’s aspirations extend beyond singles, as he is also a strong contender in the men’s doubles. Teaming up with his close friend and No. 2 American Tommy Paul (World No. 11), the duo will reunite at Indian Wells for the first time since 2023. After claiming the bronze medal together in Paris last summer, Fritz and Paul will look to build on their success and make a deep run in doubles, further solidifying their place as one of the most exciting American teams in the tournament.

Learner Tien

How quickly is this teenage Southern Californian rising through the ranks? So fast that the BNP Paribas Open handed him a wild card just two weeks ago—only for him to climb high enough to earn direct entry, freeing up his spot for another player. If you’ve followed tennis at all in the past two months, you know the name Learner Tien. And if you haven’t, you better Learn(er) it. It’s time to start paying attention.

At just 19, Tien is making waves in the tennis world. The Irvine native is set for his main draw debut at this year’s BNP Paribas Open, currently sitting at No. 68. Originally granted a wild card in mid-February, his breakthrough runs in the start of the season catapulted him up the rankings, earning him a direct spot in the draw. With his rapid rise, all eyes will be on Tien in Indian Wells.

Only a year and a half into his professional career, Tien has already built an impressive résumé. He dominated the summer circuit in Southern California, winning all four SoCal Pro Series singles titles he played in. Those 15K, along with some other 25K tournaments last summer provided crucial match play, fueling a 28-match winning streak that led to his first ATP Challenger title. That victory made him the 10th youngest American Challenger champion since 1990.

“It seems like he burst on the pro tour pretty fast, but he has done a lot of hard work at the lower levels to get the confidence to rise,” Tennis Channel analyst and Rancho Palos Verdes native Lindsay Davenport told Tennis.com.

Tien’s momentum carried into the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah, where he reached the final, and then into the Australian Open, where he made a major statement by reaching the fourth round—becoming the youngest player to do so since Rafael Nadal in 2005. His breakthrough run in Melbourne, where he defeated top-level competition, propelled him into the Top 100 for the first time. Alongside fellow Southern Californian and best friend Alex Michelsen, who also made it to the fourth round, Tien’s performance highlights the strength of California’s young talent on the ATP Tour. 

Less than a month later, Tien added another milestone, stunning World No. 2 Alexander Zverev in straight sets at the ATP 500 event in Acapulco. With that win, he became the youngest man to defeat a Top 3 player since Carlos Alcaraz in 2022 and the youngest American to do so since Andy Roddick upset then-No. 1 Gustavo Kuerten in 2001.

Tien, born four years after Roddick’s feat, is now 2-0 against Top 5 players, his first win coming over Daniil Medvedev in Melbourne. He has now reached the quarterfinals of two ATP Tour-level events, including Winston-Salem last summer.

Every few months, it seems, Tien is rewriting the record books.

Tien’s exceptional results have garnered attention, with his recent climb in the ATP rankings reflecting his growing potential. As a player known for his composure, determination, and strong all-around game, Tien now heads to Indian Wells, looking to capitalize on his momentum and further elevate his game on the biggest stage. With the tournament held close to home, Tien is sure to have a passionate local crowd cheering him on as he aims to make his mark on the prestigious event and continue his rise in the tennis world. 

His first taste of Tennis Paradise came in 2023 when he battled through qualifying, pushing Cristian Garin to a tight 5-7, 6-7(7) loss. This time last year, he was ranked No. 438. Now, he returns to Indian Wells, at a career high ranking, with a chance to make a real impact—this time, in the main draw. It may be too soon to call him a title favorite, but a deep run is well within reach and most definitely not out of the question.

The smooth-swinging lefty steps into action against Argentina’s Mariano Navone in what promises to be a battle of finesse versus grit. If he gets through, a major challenge awaits—No. 11 seed Ben Shelton, whose booming serve and electric shot-making make him a dangerous opponent on any surface.

Alex Michelsen

The second must-see American men’s team features two young stars: 20-year-old Alex Michelsen of Aliso Viejo and 22-year-old Ben Shelton (World No. 12). Both players have already found success on the doubles stage—Michelsen as a doubles runner-up at the 2024 Cincinnati Open, and Shelton as a doubles runner-up at the 2023 Washington Open. Michelsen, fresh off a breakout performance at the Australian Open where he defeated top players like No. 11 Stefanos Tsitsipas and No. 19 Karen Khachanov on his way to a career-best fourth-round finish, enters the tournament ranked a career-high No. 32 and as the youngest American in the Top 50. Since turning pro in 2023, he’s made waves with three ATP Tour finals, impressive results at Masters 1000 events, and advancing to the second round of the US Open in both appearances. He also recently made his Davis Cup debut and earned a spot in the 2024 Indian Wells main draw, marking his first ATP Masters 1000 appearance. His strong forehand and a solid backhand make him a key player to watch in both singles and doubles at Indian Wells. 

Shelton, a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist, made it to the fourth round of singles at Indian Wells in 2023 and was recently named to the Laver Cup San Francisco 2025 team. Together, Michelsen and Shelton will make their debut as a doubles team at a major event, bringing an exciting dynamic to the competition.

No. 31 seed Michelsen starts his Indian Wells campaign with a bye, setting up a second-round clash against either qualifier Colton Smith or Italy’s Flavio Cobolli. Michelsen’s aggressive game and big-serving prowess could make him a dark horse in the draw, but first, he’ll need to settle in against a hungry opponent.

Brandon Nakashima

San Diego’s own Brandon Nakashima, the 2022 Next Gen ATP Finals champion and hometown standout, etched his name in local tennis history by capturing his first ATP Tour singles title at the 2022 San Diego Open. As the great philosopher Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. (aka Lil Wayne) once said, “Real Gs move in silence like lasagna.” Now, while ‘B Nak’ probably isn’t blasting rap from when he was ten years old in the locker room, he definitely lives by that motto. The 23-year-old San Diego native is as mild-mannered as they come—he’s not here for the theatrics, just the wins. He lets his Yonex Ezone 98 do all the talking, and ever since he turned pro in late 2019, that thing has been making a whole lot of noise.

In 2024, Nakashima delivered another stellar Grand Slam performance, equaling his career-best Major finish with an electrifying fourth-round run at Roland Garros—his deepest Slam showing since Wimbledon 2022. That Wimbledon run also made him the youngest American man to reach the Round of 16 since Andy Roddick in 2003. Although Nakashima’s 2025 singles season has gotten off to a challenging start with three first-round exits in his first four events, he still found a way to make history. Teaming up with Miomir Kecmanovic, he captured his first-ever ATP Tour doubles title at the Delray Beach Open last month, adding another impressive milestone to his career. He has kept a flawless first-round record, securing four consecutive second-round appearances at the tournament. Nakashima defeated Federico Coria in 2021, Adrian Mannarino in 2022, John Isner in 2023, and Chris Eubanks in 2024. As he prepares for his fifth appearance, he’s focused on taking his game to the next level.

“I always love coming back to play in Indian Wells,” exclaimed Nakashima. “I remember coming here with my family when I was young to watch all the top professionals and now to be able to compete in the tournament is a special feeling. I’m looking forward to having all my family and friends come support and watch the matches.”

Nakashima, the No. 32 seed and World No. 33, also enjoys a first-round bye and awaits the winner of Alexander Shevchenko vs. Rinky Hijikata. With his signature calm demeanor and rock-solid baseline game, Nakashima could be a threat if he finds his rhythm early. 

Marcos Giron

Fresh off his Davis Cup debut and a quarterfinal appearance in Acapulco, Marcos Giron of Thousand Oaks, a former NCAA singles champion for the UCLA Bruins and two-time Olympian, will make his sixth appearance in the BNP Paribas Open singles main draw. Coming off his best year to date, which included a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 37 and his first-ever ATP title at the 2024 Hall of Fame Open—where he defeated Michelsen—Giron is poised to build on his success. With a strong third-round finish at the 2025 Australian Open, he heads into Indian Wells with renewed confidence, aiming to make a deep run in front of a home crowd. Known for his consistency, resilience, and tactical prowess, Giron will be looking to make a statement and further solidify his place among the top American players.

World No. 48 Giron steps into action against Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili in a first-round showdown. While the two have never faced off, Giron holds the clear ranking advantage over the World No. 152. A win would set up a blockbuster second-round meeting with No. 9 seed Casper Ruud, a three-time Grand Slam finalist. If Giron can bring his trademark intensity and aggressive baseline play, he could set himself up for a true test against one of the sport’s elite.

Tristan Boyer

Two Southern Californians received main draw wild cards into the tournament. Tristan Boyer, a standout Stanford University player who played a key role in the Cardinals’ 2021 Pac-12 tournament championship as a freshman. The Altadena native made his Grand Slam debut at the 2025 Australian Open, winning his first-round match after battling through qualifying. Since turning professional in February 2023, Boyer has skyrocketed up the ATP rankings, climbing from outside the top 1500 to inside the top 120. His rapid rise has been fueled by an impressive 2024 season, where he captured three ATP Challenger singles titles and added a doubles title to his résumé. 

Boyer, World No. 117, is set for his main-draw debut at Indian Wells, taking on Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic in the first round. Vukic brings firepower, but Boyer’s steady game and ability to extend rallies could make this an intriguing battle. Can the SoCal native score his first Masters 1000 win?

Mackenzie McDonald

Joining is Mackenzie McDonald, a Southern California tennis standout with deep ties to the region despite being born in Berkeley, is a former UCLA Bruin who made history by winning both the NCAA singles and doubles titles in 2016. He turned pro shortly after, having already qualified for the 2013 Western & Southern Open as an unranked teenager. McDonald’s career has been marked by resilience, overcoming a 2019 hamstring surgery to climb back to a career-high No. 37 in 2023. ‘Mackie’ reached his first ATP final in Washington (2021), won his first ATP doubles title in Tokyo (2022), and stunned Rafael Nadal at the 2023 Australian Open. McDonald’s Grand Slam highlights include fourth-round runs at Wimbledon (2018) and the Australian Open (2021). Most recently, he reached the finals at the 2025 San Diego Open ATP Challenger.

McDonald is no stranger to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina—but unfortunately, history isn’t on his side. The Spaniard has claimed victory in all three of their previous meetings. Can McDonald turn the tide this time? With his quick court coverage and ability to take time away from his opponents, he’ll need to dictate the tempo early to break through for his first win in this head-to-head.

Iva Jovic

Speaking of awe-inspiring teenage talent…

On the women’s side, Torrance native Iva Jovic, one of the brightest young talents in American tennis, has been awarded a main draw wild card. At just 17 years old, she will be the youngest player with direct entry into the women’s draw. Jovic made her professional debut as a wildcard at the $15K SoCal Pro Circuit event at the Jack Kramer Club in Los Angeles and quickly began making waves. She was the runner-up at the inaugural FILA International Junior Championships at Indian Wells in 2023 and solidified her rising-star status with a dominant 2024 season. Last season, she swept both the singles and doubles titles at the USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 18s National Championships and claimed the biggest title of her career by defeating Ena Shibahara at the W75 Rancho Santa Fe Open.

Her impressive performances earned her a coveted wildcard into the 2024 US Open, where she stunned Magda Linette in the first round, becoming the youngest American woman to win a US Open main draw match since 2000. She carried that momentum into 2025, reaching the second round of the Australian Open in just her second Grand Slam appearance and her tournament debut.

One of tennis’ rising talents will take on Austria’s Julia Grabher in her first-round match. With a significant ranking gap between them—Grabher currently sits at No. 388—this could be a strong opportunity for the young superstar to build early momentum and make a deep run.

Mayar Sherif 

Mayar Sherif, a 2019 Pepperdine alum, has become one of Egypt’s greatest tennis players. A two-time All-American at Pepperdine, she made history as the highest-ranked Egyptian player in the Open Era, reaching No. 31 in June 2023. Sherif became the first Egyptian woman to win a Grand Slam match in 2021 and claimed her first WTA title in 2022, defeating world No. 7 Maria Sakkari. In 2023, she reached the Madrid Open quarterfinals, earned two WTA 125 titles, and reached the Palermo semifinals and Monterrey quarterfinals. In 2024, she advanced to the Rabat final, won her first doubles title at Monastir, and reached four WTA 125 finals.

This will mark Sherif’s fifth appearance at Indian Wells, where she has reached the second round only once—during her debut in 2021. As she continues to make history on the court, her impressive accomplishments serve as a true testament to her unwavering dedication and exceptional talent.

In her opening-round match, the Egyptian sensation will square off against China’s Wang Xiyu. A powerful ball-striker with big-match experience, Wang presents a tough challenge, but if the Egyptian can dictate points and stay aggressive, she could make a strong opening statement in the desert.

Venus Williams

The tournament had hoped to welcome back seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, a Southern California native who received a main draw wild card. However, she declined the opportunity, foregoing what would have been her tenth appearance at the event.

“No, I’m not playing,” Williams said while attending a recent event in Denmark. “Actually, I found the announcement super amusing because, I don’t know, people seem to be happy, so I was like, ‘Maybe I’ll just go with it, I don’t know.’ I’m actually not going. I’m going to be overseas. I’m not going to be [there]… I just had a player text me today too, like, ‘Can you play doubles?’ [But] I’m not playing. I found out about the wild card when you guys did. Just saying. And I love Indian Wells, I would love to be there and if I could have accepted it, I would have been like, ‘Yes.’ But I already made commitments.”

Indian Wells Tournament Director Tommy Haas confirmed the news via social media: “Our team has been informed that Venus is not accepting the wild card this year. We wish Venus all the best and hope to see her back in Indian Wells in the future.”

The announcement came just hours after audio circulated on social media of Williams stating she would not be competing.

With more than 30 years on the WTA Tour since her 1994 debut, Williams remains an icon, inspiring both fans and players. A former World No. 1 in singles and doubles, she boasts 23 Grand Slam titles, including seven singles championships, four Olympic Gold Medals, and a 2008 WTA Tour Championships victory. She has reached the Indian Wells semifinals three times (1998, 2001, 2018) and last competed there as a wild card in 2024.

Williams hasn’t played on tour since her first-round loss at the Miami Open in March 2024, just two weeks after her opening-match exit at Indian Wells.

Claire Liu

Claire Liu secured her spot in the main draw with a strong 6-3, 6-4 win over Viktoria Kuzmova. The former world No. 1 junior will now take on the sport’s best under the bright lights of Tennis Paradise. She will face Russia’s Polina Kudermetova in her first round match.

Qualifying Recap

It was a big weekend for Southern California players at Indian Wells, with Claire Liu punching her ticket to the BNP Paribas Open main draw and Rudy Quan earning his first ATP Tour victory.

Quan, a UCLA freshman and wild card entry, delivered one of the standout performances of the qualifying rounds, upsetting World No. 135 Federico Augustin Gomez, 6-4, 7-5. The 19-year-old from Thousand Oaks, the lowest-ranked player in the men’s qualifying draw, broke Gomez five times and sealed the win with a fearless break at love. Though he fell in the next round, his ATP debut made a statement.

Ena Shibahara, Brandon Holt, Zach Svajda, Trevor Svajda, and Julieta Pareja also represented SoCal in qualifying, showcasing the region’s depth of talent on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

Indian Wells ranking points and prize money

First round: 10 points | $25,375
Second round: 30 points | $37,650
Third round: 50 points | $64,500
Round of 16: 100 points | $110,250
Quarterfinals: 200 points | $202,000
Semifinals: 400 points | $354,850
Finalist: 650 points | $638,750
Champion: 1000 points | $1,201,125