Emma Raducanu is set for a potential showdown with world No. 3 Coco Gauff at Indian Wells, provided she wins her first-round match against Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima. This marks her first tournament appearance since a distressing stalking incident in Dubai, which resulted in a restraining order against the perpetrator. Raducanu, now 22, is expected to have heightened security as she makes her competitive return.
In the men’s draw, five-time champion Novak Djokovic is on track to face two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a highly anticipated quarter-final rematch. Alcaraz, who recently claimed his first ATP 500 title in Dallas, may first face a challenging third-round match against 27th seed Denis Shapovalov. Meanwhile, Djokovic could meet Nick Kyrgios in the second round, as the Australian returns under a protected ranking following injury setbacks.
Elsewhere, British No. 1 Katie Boulter, seeded 25th, enters the tournament with a favorable second-round draw before a likely encounter with 2023 champion Elena Rybakina. Australian Open winner Madison Keys returns to action in a competitive quarter featuring Raducanu, Gauff, and rising star Emma Navarro. Among other British players, Cameron Norrie, Jack Draper, and Jacob Fearnley aim to make deep runs, with Draper potentially facing teenage sensation Joao Fonseca in an intriguing first-round clash.
