Indian Wells- The BNP Paribas Open, the world’s 5th largest tennis tournament, is currently in progress in Indian Wells, California. The tournament, which runs through Sunday, March 18 hosts some of the top world-ranked tennis players. Top players competing in the tournament this year are Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal. Also, there is also a great Men’s Doubles draw with likes such as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. The doubles draw will be very competitive just as the singles draw.

On the women’s side, world- ranked players include Maria Sharapova, former world-ranked No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, and No. 1 world-ranked Victoria Azarenka. All of the women’s players are at the top of their game and all are trying to win the BNP Paribas Open. Sharapova is coming to Indian Wells after reaching the Australian Open final, losing to Azarenka. Wozniacki lost her spot at No. 1 to Azarenka after the completion of that tournament. Also, on the women’s side of doubles, players are Victoria Azarenka and Petra Kvitova. The competition should be fierce at Indian Wells.

The first weekend of the tournament, Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 11, is very popular. Tennis fans can see many of their top players and enjoy many of the tournament’s activities such as autograph sessions. BNP owner, Larry Ellison has made many major improvements to the tournament since he purchased it in 2009. Some of the changes include bringing hawk-eye to all courts, and letting all the fans know when the top players practice so they can go watch them on the practice courts.

Last year’s singles champions were Novak Djokovic and Caroline Wozniacki. The men’s and women’s singles champions will each receive prize money of $1 million.

The BNP Paribas Open is a great tournament. This upcoming weekend, March 10 and March 11 is a great opportunity to watch great tennis. After the BNP Paribas Open concludes on March 18, the BNP Paribas Open Senior Cup begins from March 19-March 22. The entry fee to play in the Senior Cup is $200 and that includes a ticket to the finals on March 18, a breakfast on Monday March 19, and a dinner on Wednesday, March 21.

Addendum from Carolyn: this tournament is so popular that both sessions Saturday and the Sunday day session were sold out!