Emma Raducanu, Naomi Osaka, Elena Rybakina, and other top WTA stars have arrived at Indian Wells as the 2026 BNP Paribas Open buzz intensifies. It is one of the marquee WTA 1000 tournaments of the year, and is considered as popular as the Grand Slam events.
We’ve got updates on how the top-ranked players are preparing for the tournament, which will run from March 4 to March 15 at Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells, California, USA.
Emma Raducanu, Naomi Osaka and Elena Rybakina Preparing Hard For Indian Wells
On Thursday, BNP Paribas Open’s official Instagram account shared pictures of what the top players are up to.
Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu was spotted sharpening her groundstrokes on the practice courts. Ahead of the tournament, Raducanu has rehired Mark Petchey as her coach. However, their relationship will be “informal” for now. After her Australian Open disappointment, she parted ways with Francisco Roig. Many are considering this hiring as a good decision by the Brit.
Coming back to Indian Wells, Naomi Osaka shared a lighter moment on social media during her arrival. She captured a rabbit hanging around the practice courts of the tournament. Osaka is looking forward to hitting the strides following her third-round withdrawal at Melbourne last month.
Elena Rybakina, who won the 2026 Australian Open and is considered a big favorite to win Indian Wells this year, practiced with her coach. She was seen hitting forehands and refining her serve.
Chinese star Zheng Qinwen shared pictures from the gym where her trainer is hiding his face. She hilariously wrote:
“This is what’s happened when I take pictures in the gym.”
Notably, Qinwen missed the 2026 Australian Open on medical grounds after consulting with her team. She didn’t even play the Dubai Tennis Championships, where she was scheduled to play Peyton Stearns in the first round.
The Indian Wells women’s field features nearly all top WTA stars, including former champions and elite seeds. This includes Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Świątek, Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, defending champion Mirra Andreeva, Naomi Osaka and Paula Badosa. Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams received a main draw wild card for both singles and doubles.
For the singles players, $1,151,380 winner prize money and 1,000 ranking points are at stake.
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