The Indian Wells entry list is released: Four Chinese players qualified, Djokovic to participate for the third consecutive year.

The first ATP/WTA1000 combined event of 2026 — Indian Wells — has revealed its entry list, including all top ten male and female players, with four representatives from China. The qualifying rounds will begin on March 1, followed by the main draw starting March 4.

Shang Juncheng (Photo: Li Jianyi)

Among the Chinese players, Shang Juncheng is the only male competitor, entering the tournament using a protected ranking. Shang has participated in this event three times before, with his best result reaching the round of 64 through qualifying in 2024. He reached the second round at this year’s Australian Open and will represent China in the Davis Cup this week. Additionally, he plans to compete in the ATP 500 tournaments in Doha and Dubai later this month.

Zheng Qinwen (Photo: Li Jianyi)

In women’s singles, Zheng Qinwen and Wang Xinyu have gained direct entry based on their rankings, while Wang Yafan enters using a protected ranking. Zheng is expected to make her return at the WTA1000 Doha event starting next week, having already arrived in Doha for training. She has played this tournament three times before, with her best performance reaching the quarterfinals last year, where she lost to Swiatek.

24-time Grand Slam champion and five-time titleholder at this event, Novak Djokovic, is currently listed among the participants and features prominently on the tournament’s promotional posters. The Serbian star is very likely to compete. Djokovic returned to a Grand Slam final at this year’s Australian Open after an 18-month hiatus but lost in four sets to Alcaraz in the final.

Alcaraz, Sinner, and all other top ten players are included, along with two local stars, Shelton and Fritz. Alcaraz won the Indian Wells title twice in 2023 and 2024 and holds an impressive 20-2 record at this tournament. Sinner has never won here but reached the semifinals in both 2023 and 2024 (he missed the 2025 edition due to suspension).

Defending champion Draper (Photo: Visual China)

Defending champion Draper will participate; the British left-hander claimed his first Masters title last year by defeating Rune in the final. After the US Open last year, he ended his season early due to an arm injury and missed this year’s Australian season. He is set to return this week in the Davis Cup.

Defending champion Andreescu (Photo: Visual China)

All top ten women’s singles players will also compete, including local favorites Gauff and Anisimova, as well as defending champion Andreescu, who defeated Sabalenka in last year’s final. The new Australian Open champion, Rybakina, who won this event in 2023, will also appear. World No.1 Sabalenka leads the field aiming to capture her first Indian Wells title.

Past champions include world No.14 Naomi Osaka and world No.65 Paula Badosa. Former champion Andreescu (currently ranked No.162) did not qualify based on ranking. The tournament’s wildcard list has not yet been announced.

(Article and editing by Wang Fei)