This is how the 2025 Indian Wells tournament will be, with Alcaraz and Djokovic as main attractions

We break down the keys you need to know to enjoy the first ATP Masters 1000 of the season, such as the schedule, timings, where to watch, prize money, and top title contenders.

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 28 Feb 2025 | 15.13
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Carlos Alcaraz, details from Indian Wells 2025. Photo: gettyimages
Carlos Alcaraz, details from Indian Wells 2025. Photo: gettyimages

A new stage in the tennis calendar opens with the start of a North American tour where Indian Wells 2025 is the first stop. Historically considered the fifth Grand Slam, the Californian event will bring together the world's best tennis players in two weeks of pure spectacle. Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek are the current champions.

One of the most exciting moments of the tennis season has arrived, especially for the men's circuit. After an intense February with smaller tournaments, the Masters 1000 season begins with Indian Wells 2025, which promises to be full of incentives. The absence of Jannik Sinner, due to a suspension, adds intrigue. Carlos Alcaraz will seek to defend his title, Alexander Zverev will aim to challenge the number 1 spot, and Novak Djokovic will pursue his 100th title. Furthermore, Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka will try to regain the consistency they lacked in the last month.

- Schedule and Timings of Indian Wells 2025

Tennis festivities in the Californian desert. That's the best way to describe the action from Wednesday, March 5, to Sunday, March 16. Both the men's and women's singles tournaments will feature a 128-player draw, with 96 players, meaning the 32 seeds in each draw receive byes to the second round. The qualifying rounds will take place from Sunday, March 2, to Tuesday, March 4.

Two days will be allocated for the first, second, third, and fourth rounds, splitting matches between the upper and lower sections of the draw. The quarterfinals will be on Thursday, the semifinals for women on Friday, and for men on Saturday, with both singles finals set for Sunday, March 16.

In terms of match timings, play will commence at 11:00 local time, which translates to 20:00 in Spain. There will be afternoon sessions on the main courts starting at 18:00 local time, equivalent to 03:00 Spanish time. The women's final is scheduled for 20:00 in Spain on Sunday, March 16, while the men's final will be no earlier than 23:00.

- Seeds and Carlos Alcaraz's Playing Schedule at Indian Wells 2025

To identify potential matchups between the top players, the draw ceremony will occur at midnight from Monday to Tuesday, Spanish time, which is 15:00 in Indian Wells. By the end of the current week, the seedings will be confirmed, critical for determining Carlos Alcaraz's possible opponents on his title defense journey, which could include Novak Djokovic. The women's draw will also be determined, where Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek can only meet in a hypothetical final.

As for when the favorites will play, it all depends on the draw, and the schedule will be known a few hours later. Alcaraz might make his Indian Wells 2025 debut on either Friday, March 7, or Saturday, March 8. If he plays on the first day, his following matches will be on Sunday, March 9, and Tuesday, March 11. Alternatively, if he starts on Saturday, his subsequent matches will be on Monday, March 10, and Wednesday, March 12.

- Prize Money and Ranking Points Awarded at Indian Wells 2025

In a combined event where both men and women compete simultaneously at the same level, the prize money is equal, though there are slight differences in how ranking points are distributed. The total prize money available for players has increased compared to the previous edition, reaching a sum of 9,693,450 US$.

  • R1: 25,375$ // 10 points (non-seeds)
  • R2: 37,650$ // 10 points and 30 points (non-seeds)
  • R3: 64,500$ // 50 points
  • R4: 110,250$ // 100 points
  • CF: 202,000$ // 200 points
  • SF: 354,850$ // 400 points
  • F: 638,750$ // 650 points
  • W: 1,201,125$ // 1,000 points

 

- Top Contenders for the Title at Indian Wells 2025

The absence of Sinner shapes the landscape at the ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells 2025, where Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev are not arriving in top form. Nevertheless, Alcaraz usually shines in the Californian desert, benefiting from the prevailing conditions. It will be intriguing to see if Medvedev and Tsitsipas rediscover their peak form and if contenders like Rublev, Fritz, Paul, or De Miñaur make a strong bid for the title.

Special attention is drawn to the positive momentum of Canadians Auger-Aliassime and Shapovalov, along with the Czechs, including Lehecka, Mensik, and Machac, who are showing a clear upward trend. Noteworthy is Novak Djokovic's quest to find his best game and reach the milestone of 100 titles. Despite some uncertainties after Doha, this Serbian legend should never be underestimated.

Regarding the WTA 1000 Indian Wells 2025, Sabalenka and Swiatek stand out as strong contenders, despite both facing challenges after a tough February. Players like Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, and Madison Keys will be vigilant for any slip-ups from the favorites as they aim to make their mark. The performances of Elena Rybakina and the potential return to success of Paula Badosa in the tournament where she achieved her greatest triumph will be intriguing to watch.

- Where to Watch Carlos Alcaraz Live at Indian Wells 2025

Spanish viewers can catch Carlos Alcaraz's matches at Indian Wells 2025 live on Movistar+, on channels like #Vamos or channel 7. The rest of the tournament can also be followed on these channels and on Deportes+. WTA matches will be broadcast on TennisChannel. In Latin America, live coverage will be on Star+ and ESPN. For an ad-free experience watching all men's matches from any device, a subscription to TennisTV is recommended.

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You can also watch the match live for free on the betting site Bet365 through their live streaming service. Simply register, make a deposit, and gain access to the live broadcast of Carlos Alcaraz's matches at Indian Wells 2025.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Así será el torneo de Indian Wells 2025, con Alcaraz y Djokovic como grandes alicientes