Eugenie Bouchard praises Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at Indian Wells.

The first ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the year is about to begin, and expectations are rising around Indian Wells, which will kick off on March 4. This event promises to be a spectacle, especially with the return of Carlos Alcaraz, who remains undefeated in 2026 after triumphs at the Australian Open and in Doha. Jannik Sinner, for his part, is seeking redemption after being eliminated in the semifinals in Melbourne by Novak Djokovic and in the quarterfinals in Doha by Jakub Mensik.

The spotlight is on Alcaraz and Sinner, regarded as the top favorites, with a potential final taking place on March 15 at 11 PM Italian time. However, there are other names that could surprise and make an impact in the tournament.

Eugenie Bouchard, the former Canadian player who retired last July, is now shining as a commentator for Tennis Channel. Recently, she had the opportunity to share her thoughts on who could be the breakout star of the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells. The name she chose was that of promising American tennis player Ben Shelton.

Bouchard firmly believes in Shelton’s potential, highlighting his impressive evolution in the game. “The evolution of his game is impressive, and he often reaches his best level in the most important tournaments,” stated the former player. For her, Indian Wells, which stands as the largest American tournament after the US Open, will be the perfect stage for Shelton to shine. He already won his first title in a tournament of this category in Canada last summer, which further heightens expectations surrounding his performance.

Bouchard’s analysis leaves no doubt about her view: Ben Shelton is a force to be reckoned with. With talent and determination, the young American could challenge the big names on the circuit, such as Alcaraz and Sinner. This Masters 1000 could be the stage where Shelton solidifies his position among the best in the world, and all eyes will be on him as the tournament progresses. The excitement and unpredictability of tennis promise an unmissable spectacle in Indian Wells.