Indian Wells dates to the 1970s and has lived in the Southern California desert ever since, growing into the most prestigious stop below the four majors. Staged at the sprawling Indian Wells Tennis Garden, the combined ATP–WTA event runs nearly two weeks — March 4–15 in 2026 — opening the post-Australian hardcourt run as the front half of the Sunshine Double before the tour migrates east to the Miami Open. The length gives the draw a Slam's pacing and scale without the Slam billing, which is why players and press lean on the "fifth major" tag.
The character is all in the conditions. Desert air at altitude and a slow, gritty hardcourt sap pace off the ball, rewarding heavy topspin, deep court position, and the patience to grind out long rallies — closer in texture to a clay grind than the quick North American hardcourts that follow in Miami and at the US Open. Cool desert nights and gusting wind add another variable that flattens out flat hitters and rewards margin.
Recent champions read like a who's-who of the modern game. Carlos Alcaraz broke through in 2023, beating Daniil Medvedev in straight sets, while Iga Swiatek dropped just four games across two sets to dismiss Maria Sakkari for the 2024 women's title. Britain's Jack Draper captured the 2025 men's crown over Holger Rune, and Aryna Sabalenka edged Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 in a three-set 2026 final — the desert's signature slow-court attrition on full display.
The event remains tennis's largest non-Slam by attendance and footprint, a two-week combined showcase that sets the template the rest of the 1000 circuit chases. For the contenders, a desert title is the first heavyweight marker of the hardcourt season.