The highly anticipated 2026 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, often lauded as the ‘fifth Grand Slam,’ is scheduled to take place from March 4th to 15th. The tournament will see Mirra Andreeva return as the defending champion, having secured her second WTA 1000 title a year prior. Top contenders like World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Australian Open winner Elena Rybakina are all confirmed on the entry list. However, excitement for the prestigious event has been somewhat tempered by the withdrawal of four notable women, including a two-time Grand Slam champion.
Key Players Pull Out of BNP Paribas Open
Which Players Have Withdrawn?
Several prominent players have announced their withdrawal from the 2026 BNP Paribas Open, citing various injuries and recovery needs:
- Barbora Krejcikova: The former French Open and Wimbledon champion is the most significant name on the withdrawal list. An ongoing injury, which previously forced her to concede a walkover at the Dubai Tennis Championships, has prevented her from recovering in time to compete in California.
- Daria Kasatkina: Kasatkina has also withdrawn, reportedly due to a right hip injury. This issue previously caused her to pull out of a match against Mirra Andreeva in Dubai and is understood to be the reason for her absence from Indian Wells.
- Veronika Kudermetova: Kudermetova’s withdrawal was anticipated. Earlier this year, the 28-year-old announced via Instagram that she had undergone surgery, requiring a substantial period away from the tour. No specific timeline for her return has been provided.
- Elisabetta Cocciaretto: The Italian sustained a right thigh injury during her impressive run to the Qatar Open quarter-finals as a qualifier. This injury subsequently ruled her out of the Dubai Tennis Championships, and she has not yet recovered sufficiently to participate in Indian Wells.
Who Replaced the Withdrawn Players on the Entry List?
With these withdrawals, several players have moved into the main draw, seizing the opportunity to compete at the ‘fifth Grand Slam’:
- Zhang Shuai has taken Krejcikova’s place. The 37-year-old recently showcased strong form by reaching the semifinals of the Merida Open.
- Rebecca Sramkova will step in for Kasatkina. Known for her strong performances on hard courts, the Slovakian will have a chance to shine on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
- Replacing Cocciaretto is Camila Osorio. However, there are some lingering doubts about Osorio’s fitness, as she unexpectedly withdrew from her Merida Open match against Katie Boulter due to an injury. The nature of the injury was not severe visually, hopefully meaning it’s minor.
- Zeynep Sonmez has also joined the entry list, likely filling Kudermetova’s spot. Sonmez recently competed at the Merida Open, where she secured victories in the opening two rounds before being eliminated by the eventual champion.
