This is how the main draw of the Indian Wells Masters 1000 turned out with Alcaraz and Sinner as favorites

ByDavid Mitchell
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Favorites in the run-up to each tournament for at least two seasons, the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz (1st) and Italian Jannik Sinner (2nd) will renew hopes for the 49th edition of the Indian Wells Masters 1000knowing that they will have to combat the experience and validity of the Serbian Novak Djokovic (3rd), the highest historical champion with five crowns.

Proclaimed in 2023 and 2024 by beating the Russian Daniil Medvedev (11th) in both definitions, the young man from Murcia, 22 years old and recently consecrated in the ATP 500 in Doha, will try to improve the performance 2025, when he failed in the semifinals against the British Jack Draper (14th) in three sets. For that, he will have to draw as the first rival in this 2026 edition, in the second round for the bye in the first for being seeded, to the winner of the duel between the bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (42°) and the French Terence Atmane (52°).

Thinking about the rounds to come, they await you as potential rivals: Arthur Rinderknech or Botic Van de Zandschulp (third round), Casper Ruud or Valentin Vacherot (fourth round), Alexander Bublik, Cameron Norrie, Alex de Miñaur or Luciano Darderi (quarterfinals), Novak DjokovicTaylor Fritz, Daniil Medvedev or Jack Draper (semifinals) and Jannik Sinner, Alexander ZverevBen Shelton or Lorenzo Musetti (final).

For his part, the one born in San Candido, 24 and surprised in the quarterfinals of the Emirati event in the hands of the Czech Jakub Mensik (12th), will begin his fifth participation in the Californian event, after being absent due to suspension in the last calendar, highlighting the semifinals reached in 2023 and 2024, occasions in which he lost to his staunch rival on the men’s circuit. And for its debut in this 2026 season, after the bye In the first round, he will face the winner of the duel between the Australian James Duckworth (83°) and a tennis player from the qualy.

The path of Sinner in Indian Wells will continue, in case of winning, against Tomas Etcheverry/Stefanos Tsitsipas/Denis Shapovalov for the third round, Karen Khachanov/Joao Fonseca/Tommy Paul in the fourth, Ben Shelton, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Jakub Mensik or Learner Tien in the quarterfinals, Alexander ZverevLorenzo Musetti or Félix Auger-Aliassime in the semis and Carlos Alcaraz, Novak DjokovicTaylor Fritz or Alex de Minaur in the grand final.

Alcaraz’s possible path at the Indian Wells Masters 1000

  • First round: bye

  • Second round: Grigor Dimitrov or Terence Atmane

  • Third round: Arthur Rinderknech or Botic Van de Zandschulp

  • Round of 16: Casper Ruud or Valentin Vacherot

  • Quarterfinals: Alexander Bublik, Cameron Norrie, Alex de Miñaur or Luciano Darderi

  • Semifinal: Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, Daniil Medvedev or Jack Draper

  • Final: Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton or Lorenzo Musetti

Sinner’s possible path at the Indian Wells Masters 1000

  • First round: bye

  • Second round: James Duckworth or qualy

  • Third round: Tomás Etcheverry, Stefanos Tsitsipas or Denis Shapovalov

  • Round of 16: Karen Khachanov, Joao Fonseca or Tommy Paul

  • Quarterfinals: Ben Shelton, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Jakub Mensik or Learner Tien

  • Semifinal: Alexander Zverev, Lorenzo Musetti or Felix Auger-Aliassime

  • Final: Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz or Alex de Minaur

All the activity of the Indian Wells Masters 1000 can be followed LIVE on Disney+ Premium Plan.

David Mitchell
David Mitchell

As a passionate sports journalist with over a decade of experience, I strive to uncover the heart and soul behind every game. Supported by a dedicated team of fellow enthusiasts and storytellers, I am committed to delivering insightful and engaging content that connects fans worldwide. Together, we celebrate the victories, challenges, and unifying spirit of sports through every article we craft.