Novak Djokovic set for fall, Sincaraz split, the rise of Victoria Mboko and Jack's back - Sunshine Swing talking points
Published 16/03/2026 at 14:53 GMT
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Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka were crowned singles champions at Indian Wells as they lifted the titles in California. The ATP and WTA tours now move to Miami for the second half of the 'Sunshine Double'. Sinner, Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz, Jack Draper, and Victoria Mboko will be among the players to look out for at the Miami Open, with more stories set to be written.
Highlights: Sinner overcomes Medvedev to win maiden Indian Wells title
Video credit: SNTV
Sometimes known as the fifth major, this year's Indian Wells was all about the firsts.
There were two first-time singles winners as Jannik Sinner beat Daniil Medvedev to claim the men’s title and Aryna Sabalenka edged out Elena Rybakina in a thrilling final to triumph on the women’s side.
Sinner made history with his victory as he became the first player to win consecutive Masters 1000 titles without losing a set since the series began in 1990.
The Italian also closed the gap in the rankings on world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, who suffered his first defeat of the season in the semi-finals.
It’s now onto Miami for the second half of the ‘Sunshine Double’.
Jack’s back
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Highlights: Draper beaten by Medvedev after controversial umpire call
Video credit: SNTV
The end result from Indian Wells for Jack Draper was that he saw his title defence end in the quarter-finals, slipped from world No. 14 to world No. 26, and lost the British No. 1 spot for the first time since June 2024.
But it was undoubtedly a positive tournament for Draper.
The 24-year-old was playing in just his second ATP Tour event since the 2025 US Open following time out with an arm injury.
He showed an impressive level to beat Djokovic in a thrilling last-16 clash before running out of steam in the quarters against Daniil Medvedev.
"If someone was to say that I was going to be here in the quarter-finals after what I've been through the last nine months - only myself, and my family and my team know how much it affected me - that was enough for me," reflected Draper afterwards.
Cameron Norrie, who is the new British No. 1, said Draper’s level was "extremely impressive" and he is expecting to battle him to be the top Brit for the "rest of the year".
Just 43 points and two places separate the pair in the rankings and neither have many points to defend in Miami.
Draper will be hoping to continue to build momentum ahead of the clay swing, where he does have points to defend from last year.
Sincaraz swing
Ahead of Indian Wells, it appeared that Carlos Alcaraz was in the ascendancy in his rivalry with Jannik Sinner.
But after Alcaraz’s 16-match winning streak was snapped in the semi-finals by Medvedev - seeing a 'Sincaraz' final unexpectedly split up - and it was Sinner who went on to win the title.
The Italian was imperious over the fortnight as he became the first man to ever win back-to-back Masters 1000 titles without dropping a single set.
The world No. 2's victory saw him close the gap to Alcaraz at the top of the rankings to 2,150 points.
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'This achievement means a lot to me' - Sinner on winning first Indian Wells title
Video credit: SNTV
The pair are leagues clear of the rest of the tour - Sinner is over 6,000 points ahead of Novak Djokovic in third - and both will have the chance to gain points in Miami.
Sinner didn’t play the tournament last year due to a doping ban and Alcaraz was beaten in his first match by David Goffin.
Sabalenka saves best to last
Aryna Sabalenka has been the undeniable best player on the WTA Tour for some time now.
But during her 81 consecutive weeks as world No. 1, she has suffered her fair share of near-misses.
Last year she was beaten in two Grand Slam finals and the final of the WTA Finals, while at Indian Wells she had previously lost in the final in 2023 and 2025.
It looked like she might be left empty-handed again in California as Elena Rybakina edged 6-5 ahead in the third-set tie-break in a thrilling final.
But Sabalenka delivered when it mattered most.
She won a brilliant backhand battle to save match point and then fired an unreturnable serve down the middle to clinch victory.
"I'm super happy that in those last three points of the match, I was able to pull out really great tennis and get the win," she said afterwards.
"That backhand [on match point down] that I hit was definitely something incredible and something I’ll be re-watching and reminding myself in other matches that I can hit like that - and I have to go after these shots."
Rybakina has enjoyed a tremendous start to the season herself, beating Sabalenka to win the Australian Open, but the world No. 1 looks the player to beat in Miami, despite the quick turnaround, meaning her preparation will consist of "a couple espresso martinis, probably, and Five Guys to go".
"Basically, that's why I'm never in good shape. And that's it, because the schedule is really tight, and we're on to the next one. I cannot relax too much, because I'm defending champion there, and also, it's Miami. I love being there, playing there, so I want to do well there, as well."
Is 'future star' Mboko today's brightest talent?
Before the final, one of Sabalenka’s toughest tests in Indian Wells came against Victoria Mboko.
The 19-year-old has soared up the rankings over the last nine months and pushed Sabalenka hard in a tight opening set of their quarter-final clash.
Sabalenka afterwards said that Mboko is a "future star, a future Grand Slam champion, no doubt about that".
Up to ninth in the rankings, Mboko arguably looks the brightest prospect in women’s tennis right now.
She is a place above 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva, who saw her Indian Wells title defence end in the last 32, while Iva Jovic, also 18, is ranked 16th.
Alexandra Eala, 20, has plenty of points to defend in Miami after her breakthrough run to the semis last year.
Mboko has a 16-5 record so far this season and could climb higher up the rankings as she doesn't have many points to defend over the next few months.
What next for Djokovic?
Djokovic will not play the second part of the ‘Sunshine Double’ after withdrawing from the Miami Open due to a shoulder injury.
The decision means a ranking fall for the 24-time Grand Slam champion, who made the final in Miami a year ago.
Djokovic is guaranteed to drop below Alexander Zverev to fourth in the world, and could slip further down depending how others fare in Miami.
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Highlights: Medvedev stuns Alcaraz to deny first Sincaraz final of 2026
Video credit: SNTV
Djokovic is 7-2 this season after making the Australian Open final and last 16 at Indian Wells.
But where will he play next?
He is on the entry list for the Monte-Carlo Masters, the curtain-raiser for the clay season, but aside from a semi-final run in 2024, does not have a good recent record at the tournament.
Djokovic has not had a heavy clay schedule in the last few years but will likely again have his sights on winning a record 25th major when the French Open starts in May.
Watch and stream the 2026 French Open live on TNT Sports and HBO Max
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