Think the tennis action cooled down after the Australian Open? Think again! The “fifth slam” – the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells – is heating up, bringing together the world’s top players from March 2nd to 16th. Defending champions Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek headline a star-studded lineup that includes Coco Gauff, Daniil Medvedev, Emma Raducanu, and more. Beyond the coveted trophy, a substantial prize purse awaits the victors. How much is on the line?

At the 2025 Indian Wells, the total prize pool is set to be over $19 million. Precisely speaking, the amount this year is $19,387,080. Compared to 2024’s edition, it’s an increase of 7.76 percent. Last season, the figure was $17,991,110.

As per the ATP Tour’s official website, the trophy lifters in men’s and women’s singles will pocket a whopping amount of $1,201,125. It’s a big jump of 9.19 percent from 2024 when the amount was reduced to $1,100,000 from 2023’s figure of $1,262,220.

Alongside the cash prize, the ATP and WTA singles champions will also earn 1,000 points to receive an elevation in the ranking list. Speaking of runner-ups, they will get $638,750. Again, it’s an increase of 9.19 percent from 2024 when the figure was $585,000.

While Indian Wells prize money has surged by 106.47% since 2012, with recent emphasis on boosting earnings for qualifiers and early-round exits, this year marks a reversal. First-round losers will receive $25,375, a 15.56% decrease compared to 2024.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of 2025 Indian Wells’ prize money(equal for both) and ranking points for ATP and WTA (respectively):

While the money looks good, it will only belong to the winners in the end, right? And going into this season’s edition, there are already some hot favorites emerging to capture the Indian Wells. But who?

Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek are title favorites at the 2025 Indian Wells

Firstly speaking of the ATP star and former World No.1, he’s been dominating the Indian Wells since last three seasons. While he may have missed out in 2022, when he lost in the semis against his idol Rafael Nadal, the four-time Slam king didn’t take long to find the winning momentum.

In 2023’s edition at the BNP Paribas Open, Carlos Alcaraz clinched this event’s title for the first time. He beat Daniil Medvedev with a score line of 6-3, 6-2. Then he repeated his invincible performance in 2024 as well. Guess what?

Daniil Medvedev was his final opponent once again. This time, Alcaraz conquered him with a score line of 7-6, 6-1 to lift his second straight Indian Wells trophy. After Novak Djokovic in 2015 and 2016, he became the first player to win this tournament for two successive seasons.

On the WTA side, former World No.1 and five-time Major winner Iga Swiatek is expected to dominate. She’s won the title two times already. Back in 2022, she defeated Maria Sakkari in the ultimate clash with a score line of 6-4, 6-1. A year later, she couldn’t win, but still made it to the last four. Swiatek bounced back last season when she beat Maria Sakkari, once again, in the final battle with a score line of 6-4, 6-0.

However, these two may find it slightly tough to get back to the winning ways. Why?

Well, Alcaraz is coming off his QF exit in Doha last month. Prior to that, he did win a title at the ATP Rotterdam. On the other hand, Swiatek’s yet to score a title win in 2025. After making it to the semis down under in January, she’s been out of form. In Doha, she failed to move past the semis. Then at the Dubai Tennis Championships, she was ousted in the quarterfinal round after losing to 17-year-old eventual champion Mirra Andreeva. This is the first time since 2020 that she has been title-less for the first two months of a season.

What are your thoughts on Alcaraz and Swiatek’s prospects in 2025 Indian Wells? Let us know in the comments below.