Sinner-Opelka reunion and Djokovic-Tsitsipas headline star-studded Indian Wells doubles draw

The doubles teams for the upcoming BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells have been announced, revealing a field filled with unusual partnerships and a notable influx of elite singles players. Among the headline entries is a wildcard pairing of Jannik Sinner and Reilly Opelka, who reunite five years after capturing the Atlanta Open doubles title in 2021, marking a rare return to the discipline for the Italian world No.2.

They are far from the only big names typically associated with singles competition joining the doubles draw at the first ATP Masters 1000 event of the spring. Novak Djokovic will team up with Stefanos Tsitsipas, another eye-catching partnership in a field that also features Top-10 singles stars including Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton and Alex de Minaur.

The entry list underlines how Indian Wells continues to attract crossover participation between singles and doubles competitions. In total, six players currently ranked inside the Top 10 of the singles ATP Rankings have entered the doubles event, adding intrigue to a draw traditionally dominated by established doubles specialists.

While many of the pairings are temporary collaborations built around scheduling opportunities, the tournament will also feature several elite teams that regularly compete on the doubles circuit, setting up a draw that blends specialist experience with star-power experimentation.

Several of the most notable entries involve partnerships between players better known for their singles campaigns. Among them are Daniil Medvedev and Learner Tien, Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Sebastian Korda, and Alex de Minaur with compatriot John Peers.

The Medvedev–Tien partnership has attracted particular attention given the recent competitive tension between the two players in singles. Their ATP Head2Head rivalry currently stands at 3-1 in favour of the American, making their collaboration a curious twist ahead of Indian Wells.

Tien himself revealed that the partnership came together unexpectedly during the week of the Delray Beach Open. He explained to ATP Tour that the idea surfaced shortly before the deadline for doubles entries. "I think his coach texted my coach last minute, maybe the day before the deadline. I said, 'Sure', I thought it would be fun and so I'm looking forward to it."

The 19-year-old also acknowledged the unusual nature of the pairing, noting that neither player is particularly active on the doubles circuit. "It was kind of random, because I don't think he plays that much doubles and neither do I, so I think we'll just go out and have fun."

Elsewhere in the draw, Alexander Zverev is set to partner Brazilian veteran Marcelo Melo, with the duo entering as alternates. The pair previously demonstrated their chemistry by reaching the Monte-Carlo Masters doubles final in 2024, reinforcing the potential competitiveness of their reunion if they gain entry into the main draw.

Another American duo could emerge if wildcards are distributed, with Ben Shelton expected to join Emilio Nava, adding further domestic interest to the doubles competition in California.

Despite the influx of singles talent, the doubles field remains anchored by several of the sport’s most consistent partnerships. Among them are Australian Open champions Christian Harrison and Neal Skupski, who arrive at Indian Wells as one of the most in-form teams on tour.

Top seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos will also feature prominently in the draw. The Spanish-Argentine duo has been one of the most reliable partnerships in the discipline in recent seasons, frequently contending for major titles and Masters 1000 trophies.

British pair Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool, currently among the leading teams on the ATP doubles circuit, are another headline entry. Their aggressive serving patterns and quick-court style have made them one of the fastest-rising teams in the discipline.

The defending champions Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic return to Tennis Paradise aiming to protect the title they captured in the previous edition of the tournament. Their presence ensures that the tournament retains a strong competitive core of doubles specialists despite the influx of singles names.