By Rick Riozza
Okay—most of us desert dwellers know by now that the Indian Wells Tennis Garden hosts the annual international BNP Paribas tennis tournament, and the usual call is “Welcome to Tennis Paradise!” And we titled last year’s article with that phrase—so we changed it up! Paradise or Heaven—you go ahead and use the word you prefer.
But no matter what praise you use, any tennis player, sports enthusiast, fellow traveler, or foodie fanatic, will tell you that this fantastic and wondrous local sports event is indeed the place to be and to attend in the Coachella Valley. The stats support this: the two-week event brings in more money and business into the valley than any other event—Coachella & Stagecoach included! (Like it or not—tennis folk tend to spend more bucks at hotels, rentals, restaurants, stores, markets, and travel than other crowd!)
The BNP Paribas Open is the largest combined ATP Tour Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 tennis event in the world, and one of the premier fixtures on tour having been named Tournament of the Year by both. The 2024 BNP Paribas Open will be held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden March 3-17.
Tickets and packages for the 2024 BNP Paribas Open are now on-sale online at tennisparadise.com, via phone at 800.999.1585, or in-person at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden Box Office.
All right then! Novak Djokovic is back in Indian Wells to compete! The world number one has said that he is excited as he’ll be going to California for the first time since 2019. During that time, COVID-19 travel restrictions in the US did not allow him to take part in the annual tournament and Djokovic missed the next three editions as the United States did not allow unvaccinated foreigners to enter the country.
“It has been five years, way too long to not be part of the Tennis Paradise tournament, one of the best tournaments in the world without a doubt,” Djokovic recently said. “Considered the biggest tennis tournament outside of the four Grand Slams.”
“It’s probably the favorite Masters tournament of so many players including myself. I can’t wait to come and perform once again in front of some of the best tennis fans that we have on the tour,” he said. Djokovic is seeking an unprecedented sixth title at the Masters 1000 event. It starts next week. The Serb won the first of his 24 Grand Slams at the Australian Open in 2008 and backed that up a few months later by capturing his first Indian Wells crown.
“The first time I won the title in Indian Wells, it was one of the greatest titles of my career at that point. I remember I played Mardy Fish in the finals,” he said.
“I was fortunate to win the tournament another four times and played some epic matches in the finals against (Roger) Federer and (Rafa) Nadal and many of the great players in that era. I’m really looking forward to coming back.”
Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina are the defending champions at this year’s BNP Paribas Open, which runs from March 3-17.
First and foremost—let’s raise the attention to Maestro Dobel Tequila which returns as the Official Tequila of the BNP Paribas Open, and let’s visit their branded bar next to Stadium 2 along with Corona Beer. You sports and beverage fans will recall that we covered the most tastiest Maestro Dobel Tequila when we recently wrote on the Amex Golf. But now it’s tennis time baby and the action is hot. Do come by to the Maestro Dobel Tequila bar and say hi! I’ll be hanging out there between matches–¡Salud!
A variety of beverage offerings will round out the experience for fans in Tennis Paradise. Two champagne bars located at the Circle of Palms and in the Courtyard will offer revamped beverage service, complete with private shaded seating areas and charcuterie in these beautiful outdoor settings at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
BNP Paribas Open Unveils Revamped Lineup of Food & Beverage Offerings For 2024. First-year partnership with Sodexo Live! brings more than a dozen new dining options from world-class chefs and local Southern California eateries to Indian Wells!
The full lineup of food and beverage offerings is available to view at bnpparibasopen.com/dining.
Southern California’s Porta Via headlines the list of new additions as the contemporary California bistro and bar will take over the iconic restaurant space overlooking the court in Stadium 1. New additions to the Food Village will include Japanese-inspired hot dogs from Sumo Dog; San Diego-based, award-winning Mexican artisan kitchen Puesto; local Palm Desert delicatessen J’s Deli; fast-casual burger popup Le Burger by Camphor from Los Angeles serving Michelin-starred burgers and frites; and Post & Beam serving California comfort food from Los Angeles-based chef John Cleveland.
MOTO Pizza is also new for 2024, as the Seattle-based chain will bring their award-winning fare to Indian Wells, giving fans a taste of their unique blend of Detroit, New York, and Roman style pizzas with signature Filipino flavor, powered by a pizza robot. Los Angeles-based chef Christian Page will open Love Love Lionel’s and Love Love Chicken for fans in 2024 offering delicious burgers and tasty chicken in Stadium 2.
In addition to these new eateries are an elite lineup of world-class, full-service restaurants onsite, headlined by world-renowned Nobu, which will continue serving its signature Japanese fusion cuisine to fans in Stadium 2, alongside local desert favorites Fresh Agave Mexican Bar & Grill and Ristorante Mamma Gina.
A number of local favorites will be returning like Sherman’s Deli, Dragon Lili Boba Bar & Café (Food Village) and Chef Tanya’s Kitchen. Cheers—and see you there! Tennis Everyone?!!
