While more known for its two-week singles events simultaneously on both tours, ATP Indian Wells has historically also been a site of fun and exciting doubles pairings, with many top players deciding to play doubles year in and year out. This is largely due to the nature of the event, which allows players a rest day between singles matches.
This year is no different, as we have a host of fun and surprising pairings between players. The ones that most caught the eye are listed below.
Top Five Must-Watch Doubles Pairings at Indian Wells
Jannik Sinner and Reilly Opelka
While this pairing was announced a week or so ago, it still feels surreal that World No.2 Jannik Sinner will be playing doubles at this year’s edition of Indian Wells, and that too with American servebot Reilly Opelka.
The pair have, over the years, mentioned on more than one occasion how good friends they are off the court. They also already have a history of playing doubles together, most notably winning a doubles title in Atlanta in 2021.
Their road here will not be easy, however, as they will start their campaign against the No.1 seeded doubles team.
Arthur Fils and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Another fun pairing comes between two of the most exciting players on tour as Arthur Fils and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina join forces in the California desert.
These players also have a history of playing doubles together before and will look to make a deep run in both singles and doubles here. Their first-round match against the team of Ben Shelton and Emilio Nava is undoubtedly expected to be the most followed doubles match of the week.
Daniil Medvedev and Learner Tien
While these two players are more known for their emerging rivalry since last year, in which the young American leads three matches to one, it was a surprise to many when Learner Tien and Daniil Medvedev announced they would be playing doubles together at Indian Wells this year.
One reason for that is that both players have eerily similar playing styles and are not particularly known for their net play. Their first-round match will be against the cousins Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot.
Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas
Yes, you read that right. Five-time Indian Wells champion Novak Djokovic will also be playing doubles this year, with the highly surprising pairing of Stefanos Tsitsipas, who, at the time of writing, has already been eliminated from the singles event.
The pair received a late wildcard to play doubles together, which will be the first time they play on the same side of the net. They will be in action against the third-seeded team on Sunday.
Felix Auger-Aliassime and Sebastian Korda
The final surprise pairing on our list sees a pair of talented 25-year-olds, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Sebastian Korda, team up for a doubles run this year. However, this pair is no stranger to playing doubles together, with the two having already played doubles at Indian Wells itself in 2024.
Their first-round match will also be must-see, as they face off against Marcelo Melo and Alexander Zverev.
Main photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
