BNP Paribas Open sets attendance record during unforgettable two weeks in Indian Wells

Earlier this month, before the start of the 2024 BNP Paribas Open, tournament director Tommy Haas said that he hoped this year's event would be the most memorable one yet.

It’s as if he spoke it into existence.

The annual Indian Wells tennis tournament, which draws visitors to the Coachella Valley from all over the world, won’t soon be forgotten.

There was a “bee invasion,” which stopped play on Stadium Court at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden for two hours. There were five rain delays, one of which suspended play for three hours during the men’s semifinal.

Fans witnessed another step in the rise of the next generation in the sport, with Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz, 20, and top-ranked Iga ?wi?tek, 22, of Poland both winning their second Baccarat trophy. Alcaraz topped Daniil Medvedev of Russia, 7-6(5), 6-1, and ?wi?tek beat Maria Sakkari of Greece, 6-4, 6-0.

There were visits from actresses Zendaya and Charlize Theron. Visits from Grand Slam champions Monica Seles and Maria Sharapova, and tennis icon Rod Laver, pro golfer Michelle Wie, comedic superstar Will Ferrell and tech mogul Bill Gates among others

There were live music performances from John McEnroe’s Johnny Smyth Band, the Bryan Brothers Band, a special acoustic performance from REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin and live cooking demonstrations from celebrity chef Richard Blais.

Through it all, the tournament set a new attendance record with 493,440 during the two-week event, which ran from March 3-17. The most-attended day (40,805) and night sessions (15,483) of the tournament both took place on Saturday, March 9.

“It's a really special place for me,” Alcaraz said. “I’m really happy to be able to defend the title here in Indian Wells.”

Though she lost her finals match at Indian Wells, Sakaari had such a good time during the tournament that she suggested that maybe one day she’ll move to the valley.

Then she paused, perhaps realizing she had turned some heads.

“Just kidding,” she said. “I’ll never leave Greece.”

But it wasn’t a completely absurd notion. Earlier in the tournament, in an interview with The Desert Sun, Blais said that he comes to the tournament almost every year because the Coachella Valley is simply the place to be in March.

“I think so,” Blais said. “This is a great time to be here and it makes me want to keep coming back.”

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: BNP Paribas Open sets attendance record during unforgettable two weeks