ATP and WTA world No. 1s Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka are set to launch their campaigns at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. The duo was recently seen sharing a warm embrace during a practice session ahead of the event.
Alcaraz arrives brimming with confidence and momentum, eager to capitalize on his form in the California desert. Sabalenka, meanwhile, returns after nearly a month away from competition, having skipped the entire Middle Eastern swing.
Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka Exchange Warm Embrace During Indian Wells Practice
While Sabalenka seeks to reassert herself at Indian Wells, Alcaraz enters with confidence, riding an unbeaten run in 2026. Before launching their campaigns, the two top-ranked stars crossed paths during practice and exchanged a warm embrace. Alcaraz was also seen sharing a friendly moment with fellow WTA star Maria Sakkari.
Check out a collaborative post by the ATP, WTA, and the BNP Paribas Open shared on Instagram below.
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Sabalenka occupies the top line of the Indian Wells draw, with world No. 2 and two-time champion Iga Swiatek anchoring the bottom half. Rybakina and Coco Gauff follow as other leading contenders. The Belarusian was also the top seed last year but finished runner-up to teenager Mirra Andreeva. She previously fell to Rybakina in the 2024 final.
Alcaraz faces a challenging men’s field that includes rival Jannik Sinner, Djokovic, Zverev, Taylor Fritz, and Ben Shelton. The Spaniard is familiar with Indian Wells conditions, having lifted the title in 2023 and 2024, and will look to draw on that experience as he targets another strong run in 2026.
Looking at Alcaraz and Sabalenka’s Recent Performances
Alcaraz claimed eight titles last year and has carried that momentum into 2026, remaining unbeaten. He began his campaign at the Australian Open, intent on capturing the title for the first time
He moved past Yannick Hanfmann, Corentin Moutet, and Tommy Paul before defeating Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals to reach the final. Despite resistance from Alexander Zverev, Alcaraz prevailed in five sets before defeating Novak Djokovic in four sets to lift the trophy.
Alcaraz then turned to the Qatar Open and showed no signs of slowing down. The world No. 1 eased past Arthur Rinderknech, Valentin Royer, and Karen Khachanov before defeating Andrey Rublev to reach the final. He then overpowered France’s Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-1 to secure his second title of the season.
Sabalenka opened her campaign at the Brisbane International, winning all her matches in straight sets before defeating Marta Kostyuk in the final.
Her next stop was the 2026 Australian Open, where she stormed past Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah, Zhuoxuan Bai, Anastasia Potapova, Victoria Mboko, Iva Jovic, and Elina Svitolina, all in straight sets, to reach the final. However, she fell to fifth-seeded Elena Rybakina in a grueling three-set championship match.
The four-time Grand Slam champion has not competed since. She withdrew from the WTA 1000 event in Doha, citing a schedule change, and later pulled out of the Dubai tournament, explaining she was not fully fit.
