PNP Paribas Open Champion Meera Andreeva plays against Danish player Clara Tauson in the Round of 32. Seniors Parker Keston and Presley Forster attended the tournament and said they loved watched their favorite players in-person. (Photo provided by Parker Keston.)

At 17 years old, Mirra Andreeva claimed the BNP Paribas Open title in Indian Wells, California, becoming the tournament’s third-youngest female champion. After her victory in Dubai Feb. 22, Andreeva is the youngest woman to win back-to back Women’s Tennis Association 1000 championships since Martina Hingis in 1997.

Varsity tennis players Presley Forster (’25) and Parker Keston (’25) attended the first weekend, out of two and watched some of their favorite players compete in the early rounds. Keston has attended the tournament for the past three years and said, each year, the experience improves, which she attributes to the rise of influencer culture in the sports world.

Both Keston and Forster bought Grounds Passes tickets, which range from $30-$60 per day and allow holders to access all tennis courts except Stadium 1. In recent years, it is common for the price of single session tickets for a later stage match to be priced around $500.

“It’s great for the sport itself since it’s getting a more American audience, because tennis tends to be a pretty European-dominated sport,” Keston said. “It is annoying that the longer you wait, the more expensive it gets. Good tickets for the championship match can be thousands of dollars, which is just ridiculous. The high prices definitely make it less accessible.”

Forster watched her favorite player, world number two Carlos Alcaraz, play in his first round match. Alcaraz, 21, is revered by tennis fans all over the world and a “generational talent.” After a two decade-long dominance of “The Big Three” — Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic — the sports world waited in anticipation for a new, young star to revolutionize the game. Alcaraz won the tournament at Indian Wells in 2023 and 2024.

“The Alacaraz match was really fun,” Forster said. “He’s a fantastic player, and he hits the ball very hard. It’s always fun to see the speed of his ball in person. He has a lot of variety in his game, like his drop shots.”

Varsity tennis player Simmone McDavid (’25) discussed the importance of the rise of young stars in professional tennis.

“It’s important for new players to get recognition because the players that we know are getting older —they are not going to be able to go out there and compete for much longer,” McDavid said. “So, with the new generation that is up-and-coming, it is important that the new people come out and inspire the generations of the future.”

Keston said she was incredibly inspired by the new champions on both the women and men’s draws, with Andreeva and 23-year-old Jack Draper.

“For a little while, there was only Carlos Alcaraz and world number one Jannik Sinner. But with Sinner being out because of the doping ban, it’s honestly good Draper took advantage of his absence,” Keston said. “He’s battled with a lot of injuries over the last couple years. He definitely deserved the win and it’s great to see a new champion.”

Keston said Andreeva’s win was especially impressive, due to her young age.

“In terms of Andreeva, the fact that she’s 17 years old, like five months older than me, and her rise to stardom is so impressive to me. I’m absolutely blown away by her skill, talent and composure on the court — everything about her,” Keston said. “It shows that age is just a number. This is her second WTA 1000 tournament that she’s won in a row, beating so many many top 10 players, and now she has broken into the top 10 herself. It’s beyond impressive.”