Rafael Nadal headlines BNP Paribas open event
Nearly a year ago, Rafael Nadal was a last-minute dropout at the BNP Paribas Open. The 17-time Major Champion was hampered by a nagging hip injury which had, just a few months before the BNP, kept him out of the Australian Open.
This year, the 3-time BNP Paribas Open champion is set to return to the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens, and bring a great new event with him.
Nadal will headline “Rafa & Friends”, the first Eisenhower cup, “a one-night Tie Break Tens event” sponsored by Masimo, according to the event news release. The competition is set for March 5 and carries a $150,000 winner-take-all prize.
“The fast-paced, innovative Tie Break Tens format consists of first to ten-point tie break matches,” reads the news release. “The players will be divided into two groups for round-robin play, followed by a final match between the two winners of group play, for a total of seven matches during the course of the evening.”
Tickets run $25 and the event will begin at 7:00 p.m. at Stadium 2 of the gardens. Nadal will be joined by eight-time ATP Tour winner Gael Monfils, No. 8 and 2018 French Open finalist Dominic Thiem, No. and 14. in the world Milos Raonic. Two players are still to be announced.
“We are thrilled to have the Eisenhower Cup presented by Masimo kickoff the BNP Paribas Open and raise funds for local charities, ” said Tommy Haas, BNP Paribas Open Tournament Director. “We are grateful to Rafa, Dominic, Milos and Gael for participating in a special evening that will be a terrific way to begin this year’s tournament.”
Tickets can be found at bnpparibasopen.com.
