Nadal joins Djokovic in field for Indian Wells; Swiatek heads red-hot women’s line-up

The top 10 men and women will all be in action in California next month

Rafael Nadal at Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California.

Zuma / Panoramic

February 7, 2024

Rafael Nadal‘s plans for the next couple of months took more concrete shape on Wednesday when he was named in a red-hot field for the Indian Wells Masters, which takes place in California next month.

Nadal joins world No 1 Novak Djokovic, who had already announced he would be back for the first time since 2019, Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner and the rest of the world’s top 10, including No 2 Carlos Alcaraz, who will defend his title.

After a year away through injury, Nadal returned to the Tour in Brisbane last month and though he missed the Australian Open due to a niggle, he is due to return again in Doha this month.

The women’s top 10 will also be there, headed by world No 1 Iga Swiatek and Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka. Elena Rybakina will defend her title, while Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber, both back after becoming mothers, also return. Former No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, who does not have a protected ranking because she was out for far longer, will need a wildcard.

The field is set 🎾

All of the top 10 men & women will be in #TennisParadise from March 3-17, including World No. 1's @djokernole & @iga_swiatek.
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) February 7, 2024

Andy Murray will make his 16th appearance in Indian Wells, the former world No 1 still trying to make his way up the rankings as he plays with a metal hip.