Amongst all the tournaments throughout the year on both the men’s and women’s circuit, Indian Wells event holds a special place for tennis players as well as for fans. The tournament, which usually had the March slot in the ATP calendar, was one of the first events to announce cancellation owing to the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
Bianca Andreescu had a tough run on WTA tour after 2019 success
Even this year, the event couldn’t take place in its usual schedule due to the pandemic and was postponed to October. However, the organizers confirmed that the tournament will follow its usual March slot from 2022.
Now, coming to the event this year, Dominic Thiem and Bianca Andreescu are the defending champions from 2019. While Thiem called off his season due to a wrist injury, Andreescu enters the tournament to defend her first WTA title.
Watch this story: Alexander Zverev, John McEnroe, and Other Top Tennis Stars Fun Moments at Laver Cup 2021
After winning Indian Wells event two years ago, Andreescu went on to claim the US Open after defeating Serena Williams in the final. Even though the Canadian is struggling to find form on the WTA tour this year, the BNP Paribas open could provide the required momentum.
Few days ago, Bianca reached the event and posed in-front of her mural painting at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The painting which was done by Mike Sullivan, is a tradition followed by the tournament since 2013.
Bianca Art-reescu
Champion tradition honours @Bandreescu_ at Indian Wells#BJKCup pic.twitter.com/yna1j3KBGn
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) October 5, 2021
Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal were the first ones to have their murals inscribed at Indian Wells in 2014. Along with these two, legendary American tennis player John McEnroe’s mural was also painted.
Indian Wells celebrates past year champions alongside hall of famers through mural paintings
Along with the past champions, the tournament follows the habit of painting the mural of a former tennis great. Ever since 2014, legends like Chris Evert, McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Pete Sampras, Billie Jean King, Lindsay Davenport, and Jim Courier were honored through murals.
On the women’s draw, Andreescu is seeded 16th and could face the likes of Anetti Kontaveit, Karolina Pliskova, Maria Sakkari from the top-half.
Since a lot has changed for the Canadian from the last time she won the title at Indian Wells, it will be a gigantic task for Andreescu to power past some strong opponents who are in exceptional run on the WTA tour at the moment.
Known as the Tennis Paradise, the BNP Paribas Open this year will not feature tennis greats such as Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer.
Also read: Bianca Andreescu Shares Positive Message for Fans Ahead of Indian Wells 2021 Title-Defense
The post Bianca Andreescu Becomes Part of Annual Indian Wells Tradition Ahead of Title Defense at BNP Paribas Open 2021 appeared first on EssentiallySports.
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