Top Tennis Stars Headline Eisenhower Cup Mixed Doubles Showcase

Shelton, Fritz, Paul, and Anisimova among the big names set to compete in the traditional Indian Wells opener

Feb. 24, 2026 at 12:27pm

The Eisenhower Cup, the traditional opening event of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, will feature a star-studded mixed doubles showcase on March 3. Top players like Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, and Amanda Anisimova will team up in unique pairings to kick off the prestigious Indian Wells tournament.

Why it matters

The Eisenhower Cup provides tennis fans an early glimpse of some of the sport's biggest names in action before the intensity of the main Indian Wells draw. The exhibition format allows for dynamic matchups and cross-tour pairings that add an extra layer of entertainment and anticipation ahead of the tournament.

The details

The confirmed pairings for the 2026 Eisenhower Cup include some of the biggest names in tennis today. Defending champions Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina will look to repeat, while other notable pairings include Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, Emma Navarro and Ben Shelton, and Amanda Anisimova with Andrey Rublev.

  • The Eisenhower Cup is scheduled for March 3, 2026 at 7 p.m. local time in Indian Wells, California.
  • Last year's Eisenhower Cup was won by Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina.

The players

Taylor Fritz

A 28-year-old American tennis player currently ranked No. 7 in the world. Fritz is a rising star on the ATP Tour with 6 career titles and a career-high ranking of No. 4.

Tommy Paul

An American tennis player currently ranked No. 22 in the world. Paul is known for his aggressive baseline game and has 2 career ATP titles.

Ben Shelton

A 20-year-old American tennis player and rising prospect. Shelton won the 2022 NCAA singles title and turned pro in 2023.

Amanda Anisimova

A 25-year-old American tennis player currently ranked No. 15 in the world. Anisimova is a former Australian Open semifinalist and has 3 career WTA titles.

BNP Paribas Open

An annual tennis tournament held in Indian Wells, California and considered one of the most prestigious events outside of the Grand Slams.

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What they’re saying

“The Eisenhower Cup is always a highlight of the Indian Wells experience, bringing together the top players in a fun, competitive exhibition format.”

— Taylor Fritz

“I'm excited to team up with a new partner this year and see what kind of chemistry we can develop on the court.”

— Amanda Anisimova

What’s next

The main draw of the BNP Paribas Open will begin on March 6, immediately following the Eisenhower Cup exhibition.

The takeaway

The Eisenhower Cup provides tennis fans an early look at some of the sport's biggest stars in a unique mixed doubles format, building anticipation for the start of the prestigious Indian Wells tournament.