“Djokovic and Sinner emerge as a new threat in the Indian Wells tournament.”

The BNP Paribas Open in [Indian Wells](https://apitofinal.pt/modalidades/tenis/carlos-alcaraz-revela-saudade-do-treinador-juan-carlos-ferrero-em-indian-wells/) is set to be a stage for intense emotions, with a new dynamic emerging in the doubles tournament. The draw promises intriguing matchups, featuring appearances from stars of the singles circuit, such as Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner, who join doubles specialists, raising expectations for a high-level competition. The most notable partnerships include Djokovic alongside [Stefanos Tsitsipas](https://apitofinal.pt/modalidades/tenis/sinner-e-opelka-reencontram-se-enquanto-djokovic-e-tsitsipas-brilham-em-indian-wells/) and Sinner teaming up with Reilly Opelka.

Sinner and Opelka are ready for a challenge right in the first round, facing the top seeds, Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos. On the other hand, Djokovic and Tsitsipas will take on the defending champions and third seeds, Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic, in a clash that promises to be equally thrilling.

The duo of Sinner and Opelka has had successful experiences in the past, winning the doubles title at the Atlanta Open in 2021 by defeating Jordan Thompson and Steve Johnson in the final. Interestingly, this victory remains the only doubles title in Sinner’s professional career to date. They were supposed to reunite at the Miami Open in 2022, but Opelka had to withdraw due to injury. Now, almost five years later, the pair is back with the ambition to replicate their success.

Meanwhile, Granollers and Zeballos will not be an easy opponent. With an impressive trajectory, they reached the semifinals of the Australian Open and the final in Dallas this season, positioning themselves among the best in the PIF ATP doubles ranking.

The challenge for Djokovic and Tsitsipas is equally significant. Arevalo and Pavic lifted the doubles trophy at Indian Wells in 2025, without losing a single set, defeating teams primarily composed of singles players, including Sebastian Korda and Jordan Thompson in the final. Tsitsipas enters the match motivated by the desire to redeem himself after his early exit in singles against Denis Shapovalov, while Djokovic, continuing his individual campaign as the third seed, will debut against Kamil Majchrzak on Saturday.

The presence of stars from the singles circuit in the doubles event has sparked discussion among tennis experts. Former coach Brad Gilbert even suggested a special prize for anyone who succeeds in both formats. “I would like to see a bonus of 2 million if someone wins in singles and doubles at Indian Wells; it has been a long time since someone won both on the men’s side,” Gilbert wrote on platform X.

The last player to achieve this rare feat at Indian Wells was Jim Courier, who won the singles and doubles titles in 1991. With so much quality in the doubles draw, fans will be watching closely to see if history can repeat itself. Will Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic manage to reach this historic milestone this year?

Sinner, who arrives in Indian Wells with a renewed focus after a slower start to the 2026 season, is seeking his sixth Masters 1000 title, and his first in the California desert. In statements made ahead of the tournament, Sinner revealed that he and his team have been working intensively to improve various aspects of his game. “We are always trying to evolve. I feel like we are doing a great job. It has been a tough week of training here for me,” Sinner said during his pre-tournament press conference.

One of the most significant adjustments includes adding more aggression to his already powerful baseline game. The world number 2 believes this change can help him maintain more consistent control of points during competition. “I’m very happy with how I feel on the court and, obviously, we are trying to go as far as possible in the tournament,” Sinner explained. “At the same time, we are trying to improve some things. I’m trying to be a bit more aggressive at certain moments from the baseline and then we’ll see how it goes.”

Sinner, who has been a semifinalist twice in Indian Wells, will begin his campaign in the second round after receiving a bye in the first. His first opponent will be Dalibor Svrcina. If the draw unfolds as expected, Sinner could face Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the third round, followed by a potential clash against Tommy Paul or Karen Khachanov. In the quarterfinals, he may encounter opponents such as Jakub Mensik, Ben Shelton, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, or the emerging American Learner Tien. A semifinal could see him up against Alexander Zverev, Lorenzo Musetti, or Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Djokovic is preparing for a challenging path in the tournament. The Serbian star could open his campaign against Kamil Majchrzak in the second round and later face Hubert Hurkacz or Corentin Moutet in the third. A potential clash in the round of 16 against the defending champion, Jack Draper, could be Djokovic’s first major test. If he advances, he may encounter potential opponents such as Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, or Learner Tien in the quarter-finals.

Djokovic recently commented on the confidence gained after defeating Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of the Australian Open earlier this year. “It was an incredible feeling to beat Jannik. I proved to myself that I can compete at the highest level and beat these guys. I still have the fire and the motivation. I am the number 3 in the world and I want to keep going,” Djokovic stated.

With the men’s draw filled with elite talent, Sinner will have to navigate a demanding path if he wants to capture his sixth Masters 1000 trophy and finally lift the title in Indian Wells. Will the Italian shine brighter than names like Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, or Carlos Alcaraz and win the trophy this season?