The 2025 Indian Wells Open, which kicks off on Sunday, March 2, is the first ATP1000 Masters of the season and the third WTA 1000-level event. Most ATPand the top players of the WTA will participate, but there are still some high-profile players who are absent. Nine of the top 10 players in the ATP world rankings will be in action, including defending champion Alcaraz; All of the top 10 women in the world will participate.

Here are a few of the key players who missed the tournament:

1. Sinner

World No. 1 Sinner will not play at this year's Indian Wells Open because he is banned until May 4. The Italian player was tested for the banned substance Clostebol in March last year.

Sinner will not lose points for missing the tournament, as the 400 points he earned to reach the semi-finals at the 2024 Indian Wells Masters have already been penalized for the drug ban. He competed in the tournament four times in his career, but never made it to the final, so this remains a blank spot in his Masters title.

2. Klejcikova

Defending Wimbledon champion Kryjcikova is out injured and she is the only WTA world top 20 player to miss this tournament at BNP Paribas. The two-time Grand Slam champion missed any tournament in 2025 due to injury, but she won't lose points as she also missed Indian Wells last year due to injury.

3. Venus Williams

Last month, the Indian Wells organising committee announced that former world No. 1 Serena Williams had received a wild card for the event, but she recently announced that she would not be competing. The 44-year-old American took part in the tournament last year and lost 6-2 3-6 0-6 to Japan's Nao Hibino in the first round.

Serena Williams made her Indian Wells debut in 1996 and has reached the semi-finals three times (1998, 2001 and 2018). She hasn't played on any WTA Tour since the 2024 Miami Open.

4, Jarry

World No. 45 Nicholas Jarry withdrew from Indian Wells with a foot injury. The Chilean has had a poor season, winning just one of his last four tournaments, including three ATP matches on clay, where he excels.

Jarry, who is seeded 24th at Indian Wells 2024, lost just 10 ATP points to this year's tournament after a first-round bye before losing to Marost in three sets in the second round.

5. Kokkinakis

World No. 84 Kokkinakis will miss Indian Wells after undergoing surgery for a chest muscle injury. The Australian has not been able to play since exiting in the second round of the 2025 Australian Open.

Since he reaches the second round in 2024, he will lose 30 points in the ATP rankings. At the time, he defeated Marcos Giron in the first round, but was eliminated in straight sets by Sinner in the second round.(Source: Tennis Home Author: Spark)