The Indian Wells Open promises to attract stars like Alcaraz and Swiatek with record prizes.

The Indian Wells Open is set to become the epicenter of world tennis, with the ambition of attracting big names from the sport to its mixed doubles competition, now featuring a record prize. This year, the event announced an impressive purse of $1 million, a significant increase from last year’s $370,000. The expectation is that this increase will draw renowned players such as Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, as well as Casper Ruud and Iga Swiatek, to enter the competition and thus enhance fan engagement during the tournament’s second week.

“Part of our strategy is to have more tennis, because we know that as we move into the second week, we start to lose players,” said Philippe Dore, the event’s marketing director, in an interview with Front Office Sports. This innovative mixed doubles format, which enjoyed great success during the fan week at the 2025 US Open, seems to have inspired the organizers of Indian Wells to take a similar path, hoping to replicate the excitement generated.

The tournament, which begins on March 10, six days after the first matches of the main singles draw, promises to be a platform for tennis stars. The model of the US Open, which saw a number of stars sign up for the mixed doubles competition, including Alcaraz, Raducanu, Ruud, and Swiatek, demonstrates that big names are willing to participate when the financial incentives are sufficiently attractive. Additionally, other notable pairs, such as Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula, Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina, and Frances Tiafoe and Madison, have also made their mark on the event.

However, the scheduling may pose a challenge for the players, as many may hesitate to participate in the mixed doubles tournament, considering it takes place in the second week of Indian Wells, a time when most are seeking additional rest after intense battles in the singles competition.

It is important to note that the official mixed doubles tournament should not be confused with the Eisenhower Cup, a one-day exhibition event that takes place before the start of the singles tournament on March 3, with a prize pool of $200,000. This event will feature stars such as Ruud, Swiatek, Fritz, Rybakina, Andrey Rublev, Amanda Anisimova, Tommy Paul, and Jessica Pegula, along with Daniil Medvedev and Mirra Andreeva. However, simultaneous participation in these events can be complicated, creating additional pressure on tennis stars who already have a packed schedule.

The Indian Wells Open, with its ambition to elevate mixed doubles competition to new heights, is betting on a vibrant future for tennis. With a record prize pool and the promise of more action on the courts, expectations are high, and the eyes of the sports world will be on this event, which could redefine what it means to compete in style.