Monfils, #NextGenATP star Jodar headline Indian Wells wild cards

Americans Zheng, Damm and Svajda also received wild cards

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Gael Monfils and #NextGenATP star Rafael Jodar are among the players who received wild cards into the BNP Paribas Open, the tournament announced Friday. Monfils, who is playing his final ATP Tour season, holds a 22-15 tournament record and will be making his 17th appearance at Indian Wells. Jodar, a 19-year-old, is set to feature in the main draw at an ATP Masters 1000 event for the first time. Americans Michael Zheng, Martin Damm and Zachary Svajda also received wild cards into the main draw.

Why it matters

The BNP Paribas Open, also known as Indian Wells, is one of the most prestigious ATP Masters 1000 events on the tennis calendar. The wild card entries provide opportunities for rising stars and veteran players to compete at the highest level and gain valuable experience and exposure.

The details

Monfils, who is 39 years old, has a 22-15 tournament record at Indian Wells and reached the quarter-finals in 2016 and 2019. Jodar, a 19-year-old #NextGenATP star, has won three ATP Challenger titles in the past six months and earned three tour-level wins this year, including an upset over Cameron Norrie. The American wild card recipients, Zheng, Damm and Svajda, have all enjoyed recent success at the Challenger and ATP 250 levels.

  • The BNP Paribas Open, also known as Indian Wells, will take place in 2026.

The players

Gael Monfils

A veteran French tennis player who is playing his final ATP Tour season and has a 22-15 tournament record at Indian Wells.

Rafael Jodar

A 19-year-old #NextGenATP star who has won three ATP Challenger titles in the past six months and earned three tour-level wins this year.

Michael Zheng

A 22-year-old American who posted a 24-7 record and won three titles at the ATP Challenger level in 2025, and recently played in his maiden major main draw at the Australian Open.

Martin Damm

An American who recently enjoyed a dream run at the ATP 250 event in Montpellier, where he upset Hubert Hurkacz and Roberto Bautista Agut en route to his first tour-level semi-final.

Zachary Svajda

A California-native American who recently won the trophy at the ATP Challenger event in San Diego, where he defeated Sebastian Korda in the final.

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The takeaway

The wild card entries for the BNP Paribas Open provide exciting opportunities for both veteran and rising star tennis players to compete at one of the most prestigious events on the ATP Tour. The inclusion of several young American talents highlights the depth of tennis talent emerging from the United States.