World’s best tennis players headed to Indian Wells

BNP Paribas Open officials have released the player entry lists for the 2017 tournament scheduled March 6-19 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

According to tournament officials, this year’s entry list is highlighted by seven former BNP Paribas Open champions. Here are some of the bigger names coming to the tournament this year:

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Roger Federer – Following 15 consecutive trips to Indian Wells, the 17-time Grand Slam Singles Champion and four time BNP Paribas Open singles winner (2004-2006, 2012) was absent in 2016. Federer has looked sharp in 2017, knocking off World No. 10 Tomas Berdych and World No. 5 Kei Nishikori en route to a semifinal matchup with fellow-Swiss Stan Wawrinka at the Australian Open. A fan favorite on the ATP World Tour, Federer has posted 52 match wins at Indian Wells and advanced to the finals in both 2014 and 2015.

Serena Williams – World No. 2. 22-time Grand Slam Singles Champion and two-time BNP Paribas Open winner Serena Williams (1999, 2001) seeks to become the first WTA player to win three singles titles at Indian Wells. After reaching the semifinals in 2015 and finals in 2016, Serena will look to hoist the Indian Wells trophy once again. In addition, her sister Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam Singles Champion, will also return for the second consecutive year.

Novak Djokovic looks to add fourth consecutive crown, sixth overall – A 12-time Grand Slam Singles Champion and five-time BNP Paribas Open singles winner (2008, 2011, 201402016), looks for his sixth crown at Indian Wells. The World No. 2 has posted a remarkable 47-6 record in the desert, including a 5-1 mark in the finals.

Angelique Kerber and Andy Murray both have major titles to their names, and reached the pinnacle in the rankings last year for the first time. However, they have never captured a title in Indian Wells. Kerber’s best results at the tournament were back to back semifinal appearances in 2012 and 2013, while Murray reached the singles final in 2009.

Each top-ten player from both the ATP World Tour and WTA is entered for the 2017 BNP Paribas Open, including former Indian Wells Champions Rafael Nadal (2007,2009, 2013), the World No. 9 and 17-time Grand Slam Singles Champion, and Simona Halep (2015), World No. 4 and 2014 French Open finalist.

Joining Nadal and Halep as former champions on the entry lists are Caroline Wozniacki (2011) and Jelena Jankovic (2010).

BNP officials said the remaining spots in the draws will be filled by winners of the qualifying tournament (March 6-8) and wildcards, which will be announced in the coming weeks.