Tennis professionals around the world are headed to the desert to compete at the Indian Wells Masters. Also known as Indian Wells Open or BNP Paribas Open, this tournament attracts players from both the ATP Tour and the WTA Tour, and nearly a half million spectators will attend.

The BNP is held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. This massive tennis facility is located in Coachella Valley, within Palm Springs. Visitors come from neighboring cities such as Los Angeles and San Diego, just to get a glimpse of their favorite tennis pro.

Taste of Tennis at Indian Wells is a chance for tournament players to rub elbows with some of the best chefs in the world while enjoying their amazing cuisine. It’s also a time for party-goers to partake in a special Q&A with some big-name guests including 2x Grand Slam Champion Tracy Austin. There will be live music, dancing, and plenty of photo ops during this exclusive event that kicks off professional tennis in the desert.

Both the Indian Wells tournament and venue are owned by Larry Ellison, co-founder and CEO of Oracle Corporation. However, the tournament was once owned by a group of private investors who included iconic names like Pete Sampras, Chris Evert, Billie Jean King, and Greg Norman.

Among the first tournament winners in 1974 was Australian John Newcombe, who defeated American player Arthur Ashe (6–3, 7–6) in the Men’s Singles. Other Men’s Singles Championships include Jimmy Connors, Roscoe Tanner, Boris Becker, Jim Courier, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, and the Serbia superstar Novak Djokovic.

Past Female Single Champions include Manuela Maleeva, Martina Navratilova, Mary Joe Fernández, Steffi Graf, Lindsay Davenport, Martina Hingis, Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Simona Halep, Naomi Osaka, Paula Badosa, and Iga Swiatek.

The tournament was originally played in Tucson, AZ. Over the years, the BNP Open had several name changes. Some of its pervious names were Pacific Life Open and The Tennis Masters Series.

Today, the Indian Wells Open is a Masters 1000 on the ATP Tour. It is also a Masters 1000 on the WTA Tour, meaning it is part of an annual series of tennis tournaments that featuring the top-ranked players in the world.

In addition to hosting the BNP, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden has hosted a variety of events. Some of these include NBA pre-season games, and a huge variety of big-name performers like The Eagles, Tom Petty, and Andrea Bocelli.

Fans visiting the BNP will enjoy an assortment of flavors. Besides an oversize beer garden and grab-and-go bites, there are a few sit-down restaurants. Ristorante Mamma Gina and Fresh Agave Mexican Bar and Grill offer delectable dining. But if you want an unforgettable experience, make a reservation at Nobu and eat exquisitely while watching on-court action in Stadium 2.