Indian Wells brings tennis to the California desert each March, and the BNP Paribas Open plays out over two full weeks with a 96-draw that rewards endurance as much as skill. The slow hard courts favor heavy topspin, letting players grind through long rallies under the sun. With $18.2M on offer and both the ATP and WTA in one place, it is often called the fifth Slam.

Last year's champions, C. Alcaraz and M. Andreeva, are back on the entry lists. Andreeva defends her breakout title while Alcaraz again hunts the form that made him so tough to beat here. For two weeks, the desert becomes the sport's center.