"Winner's going to be one of these three guys": Roger Federer backs this trio for potential Indian Wells success

Roger Federer has picked three players that he thinks could win this year's Indian Wells Open with two of them already into the third round and another attempting to plot his course on Saturday evening and there are no surprises.

Federer spoke to NBC while visiting the San Francisco Bay area to announce that the Chase Center would host the 2025 Laver Cup and was quizzed about Indian Wells. He also shared his sadness that Rafael Nadal had to withdraw with the Spaniard still not right to make his tennis return yet.

"Unfortunately, Rafa pulled out but I think Novak's the big favorite. Sinner hasn't lost I believe since the Australian Open. Alcaraz, I think he’s back playing as well and he’s the defending champion I believe so I think the winner's going to be one of those three guys," Federer said to NBC.

Holding the record for winning Indian Wells five times, he also spoke about his love for Tennis Paradise. "It's a wonderful event. The kids were already saying, 'Oh it's Indian Wells, we miss being there'. We used to always love going there as a family," he said.