The world tennis tour is circling back to the States this March, with two of the biggest non-Grand Slam events happening in both California and Florida, in the Indian Wells and Miami Open.
We always know once the tennis season hits America, it’s game on, and the serious money starts going around, with the two events both having purses worth over $10 million USD (roughly $15.2 million AUD).
The two events also mark the start of the Masters 1000 tournaments for the year — the first two out of nine around the globe.
Making the first of the two – the BNP Paribas Open (more commonly known as the Indian Wells) – more of a major event to watch, is the return of world number one and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic. The Serbian hasn’t played at the event since 2019, and is eyeing off an historic sixth title at the tournament this time around.
Djokovic joins a host of top ranked talented participated at the two Masters 1000 events, with Australian Open finalists Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner looking for silverware. While in the women’s draw, fan favourites Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Madison Keys are confirmed for the Miami Open.
Tennis tour’s March US leg: All the key details
Here you can find all the key details for the 2024 BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells) and Miami Open, from when it’s on, to who’s playing, and the past champions out to defend their titles.
When do these events start?
Indian Wells
First up this March is the BNP Paribas Open, which runs from March 6-17 in southern California.
The two week event is done in a three-set format for both men and women, unlike some of the other major tournaments in 2024 across the ATP and WTA tours.
Miami Open
Following Indian Wells is the next Master 1000 tournament, the Miami Open, which runs from March 20-31.
Unfortunately with these two events, it leaves little time for the players who have deep runs at the previous event to get back to this one, but plenty of them try their best to attend both.
How can you watch both events?
Now days, there are so many streaming services for people to choose from that all have different rights to certain sports or events in particular countries.
In Australia, the best place to watch international tennis tournaments is through beIN Sports whose monthly subscriptions cost only $15 AUD with a free seven day trial.
Check here to see how you watch the events live in your country.
What superstars are playing in the events?
With over $10 million USD on the line at each event, you can expect to see the best players in world tennis out on the hard court surfaces in Florida and southern California.
The biggest news heading into this part of the tennis season is that world number one, Novak Djokovic, is making his return to the events for the first time since 2019, where history awaits him.
Djokovic holds the record of five titles at Indian Wells and a joint record of six Miami Open victories, but has been unable to participate over the past five years due to his controversial stance on COVID-19 vaccines, and the restrictions the U.S. government has on unvaccinated people.
Other men’s stars such as Daniil Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz, and Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner are all locked in to play, with Rafeal Nadal listed on the ATP website as someone participating in this year’s events.
On the women’s side of the draw, 2023 and 2024 Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka will be participating alongside Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek.
All of these athletes are also expected to be participating at the Miami Open, however, some players who make it through to the final of the Indian Wells tournament may not be able to back up and play another tournament so soon.
Who won the 2023 iteration of the tournaments?
Indian Wells
Men’s tournament: Carlos Alcaraz d Danill Medvedev, 6-3, 6-2
Women’s tournament: Elena Rybakina d Aryna Sabalenka, 7-6, 6-4
Miami Open
Men’s tournament: Danill Medvedev d Jannik Sinner, 7-5, 6-3
Women’s tournament: Petra Kvitova d Elena Rybakina, 7-6, 6-2
