The Top Storylines to Follow at Indian Wells 2016
While the tennis world dissects the news of Maria Sharapova’s failed drug test, the show must go on. And the action returns in a big way this week on the hard courts of Indian Wells.
The first ATP Masters Series and WTA Premier Mandatory events of the year, the BNP Paribas Open kicks off the busiest stretch on the calendar. Considered by some to be the "fifth major," Indian Wells never lacks for intrigue.
Even without Sharapova and a recuperating Roger Federer, there’s a buzz in the air as the top men and women descend on the California venue.
With Venus Williams returning to the tournament for the first time since 2001, both Williams sisters are in a jam-packed portion of the draw and could be headed toward a familial showdown.
Reigning champion Novak Djokovic leads the men's field, where a hungry Andy Murray aims to take him down and earn payback for the Australian Open final. Will anyone be able to prevent yet another final between those two rivals?
Here's a deeper look at these and other key storylines to follow in Indian Wells as the tennis season heats up.
Young Stars of Men's Game on the Rise
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Several up-and-coming players have made a name for themselves in the first quarter of 2016, but none more so than Dominic Thiem and Taylor Fritz.
February turned into a breakout month for both men. Thiem, 22, surged to No. 13 after winning titles in Buenos Aires and Acapulco. The athletic, hard-hitting Austrian now boasts a 20-4 record on the season as he elbows his way into the mix as one of the top contenders behind Novak Djokovic.
Fritz, 18, isn't on Thiem's level quite yet, but the blossoming Californian accelerated his rise in the rankings courtesy of a finals run in Memphis. Currently the youngest player inside the Top 100, the teenager is earning recognition for his powerful game and potential.
Indian Wells is therefore a big opportunity for Thiem and Fritz to continue their upward trajectory and make some noise.
Defending Champion Simona Halep Deals with Tough Draw
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Simona Halep was a surprise champion in Indian Wells last year, taking advantage of a Serena Williams walkover in the semifinals to win the biggest title of her career.
Defending that throne is going to take quite an effort.
Halep’s draw is daunting. Her earliest hurdle is a potential third-round clash with Ekaterina Makarova, who smoked the Romanian at the 2015 Australian Open. Things will only intensify from there.
In the fourth round, a determined Venus Williams could await. Halep’s “reward” for winning that match would be the ultimate challenge: a date with top-ranked Serena Williams.
Just to reach the latter stages, she has to navigate a minefield. Still struggling to find her rhythm and get back to 100 percent physically, Halep may be headed for an early exit.
Juan Martin Del Potro's Comeback Continues
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Juan Martin Del Potro's return to the game after several injury-related setbacks is a feel-good development for men's tennis.
The affable Argentine began that comeback trail last month in Delray Beach, tasting victory for the first time in over a year. He picked up three momentum-building wins there, setting the stage for his participation at the BNP Paribas Open.
Wrist problems prevented him from traveling to Indian Wells the past two seasons, his most recent memory here a tight finals loss to Rafael Nadal in 2013.
Del Potro has performed well on these courts throughout his career, but he'll have his work cut out for him in a loaded quarter of the draw that includes Tomas Berdych, Borna Coric, Milos Raonic, Bernard Tomic, Nick Kyrgios and Andy Murray.
How far he advances is a moot point. Just seeing him compete again on a stage like this one is satisfying enough.
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Victoria Azarenka Vies to Rejoin the Top 10
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Ranked No. 22 at the end of 2015, Victoria Azarenka is on the precipice of making it back into the Top 10 courtesy of a strong start to the season.
Though a wrist injury forced her to retire recently in Acapulco, Azarenka is 10-1 so far in 2016, her only loss coming in the Australian Open quarterfinals to Angelique Kerber, whom she had previously defeated for the Brisbane Open title.
With only third-round points to defend, the 2012 champion has everything to gain in Indian Wells. A deep run could very well propel her several spots in the rankings.
Potential early roadblocks include Caroline Wozniacki and fourth-seeded Garbine Muguruza. From there, teen sensation Belinda Bencic and Kerber could also stand between her and a spot in the final. A tough draw, but one where she can do some damage.
Rafael Nadal's Search to Regain His Form
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Questions about the state of his game follow Rafael Nadal wherever he goes these days, each new loss only adding to the level of concern about how much he has left.
With four losses under his belt already in 2016—including a first-round exit at the Australian Open and two defeats on his precious clay—the Spaniard hasn't done anything to assuage those doubts. Struggling with his forehand and confidence, Nadal has a way to go before being considered a legitimate threat again.
And yet, there he sits at No. 5 in the world. So it's not all doom and gloom for him despite the difficulties he's enduring.
Make no mistake: He needs a solid week to boost his momentum.
A three-time champion (2007, 2009, 2013) here, Nadal owns a 44-8 career mark in Indian Wells—his best at a non-clay Masters Series event. That track record and comfort level should give him a level of hope. He'll certainly have to channel those intangibles with Kei Nishikori and Djokovic in his half of the draw.
In the dry, arid desert, Nadal faces his own type of barometer in the quest to regain his mojo.
Serena Williams Looks to Get Back on Track
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Surprising but true fact: Over six months have passed since Serena Williams last took home a title.
Because of a shocking upset in last year's U.S. Open semifinals and subsequent knee issues, the world No. 1 called an early end to her 2015 campaign and sat out the fall events.
No doubt working through some rust at the beginning of this season, she ran out of steam at the Australian Open and fell in a championship stunner to Angelique Kerber. That loss kept her from tying Steffi Graf in the all-important Grand Slam trophy race. She hasn't played since.
Williams only goes for the big prizes these days anyway, and winning Indian Wells for a third time would certainly fit into that category and get her back onto the podium.
Novak Djokovic Eyes Fifth Indian Wells Title
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Riding high after a riveting Davis Cup win for Serbia, two-time defending champion Novak Djokovic will look to win a fifth crown (2008, 2011, 2014 and 2015) in Indian Wells.
The world No. 1 thrives on these courts, reaching the semifinals or better the last five years. Just call him the “King of Asphalt” with the way he owns the surface.
Stopping Djokovic from locking up another title won’t be easy—he's the overwhelming favorite anywhere he plays. In his quarter, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Dominic Thiem are the most dangerous potential opponents, though he looks destined for a semifinal date with either Kei Nishikori or Rafael Nadal.
In all likelihood, we should see Djokovic reach another championship Sunday in the desert.
Venus Williams Returns After 15-Year Absence
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Following in her sister's footsteps, Venus Williams has decided to end a lengthy boycott and return to Indian Wells.
It's the biggest story of the tournament, one of forgiveness and healing.
While Serena famously came back to the event last year, Venus wasn't sure if she'd ever do the same. The painful memories of 2001, when a racially charged crowd turned on the Williams family, lingered and kept them away for well over a decade.
"And I remember leaving Indian Wells in 2001 feeling like I wasn’t welcome there," Williams wrote for The Players' Tribune. "Not feeling welcome somewhere is a hard memory to let go of — at any age. At 20? It’s almost impossible. And so that’s what I did. I held onto it."
But watching the crowd warmly embrace Serena in 2015 inspired Venus. It gave her the confidence she needed to give Indian Wells another chance and seek closure.
All statistics are courtesy of ATPWorldTour.com and WTATennis.com unless otherwise noted.
Joe Kennard is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report.
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