The BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells announced its 2026 wild cards, omitting three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka in his final professional season, while awarding one to fellow veteran Gaël Monfils. This decision has ignited widespread disappointment and debate among fans on social media. The tournament's qualifying draw begins March 1, with the main draw starting March 4.
The BNP Paribas Open, set to unfold in Indian Wells, California, revealed its wild card recipients for the 2026 edition on February 27. Notably absent from the men's main-draw list was Stan Wawrinka, the 40-year-old Swiss player ranked No. 99 and entering his last season on tour. Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam winner and former finalist at the event, has started 2026 strongly with six victories, including a third-round appearance at the Australian Open and early-round successes in Montpellier, Rotterdam, and Dubai. His most recent match was a loss to Daniil Medvedev in Dubai on Wednesday.
In contrast, Gaël Monfils, also in his final tour season, received a men's main-draw wild card. Tournament director Tommy Haas selected Monfils alongside young American prospects Rafael Jodar, Michael Zheng, Martin Damm Jr., and Zachary Svajda. On the women's side, wild cards went to former champions Bianca Andreescu, who won the title in 2019 and is ranked No. 164 after two ITF victories this year; Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open winner ranked No. 775; and seven-time major champion Venus Williams, aged 45 and the oldest player in the main draw. Additional women's recipients include Donna Vekic, a 2024 Olympic silver medalist; Jennifer Brady, a former Australian Open runner-up; Lilli Tagger, the reigning French Open girls' singles champion; Alycia Parks; and Katie Volynets.
Qualifying wild cards for men include Jagger Leach, Darwin Blanch, Trevor Svajda, Andrew Johnson, and Izyan Zizou Ahmad. Women's qualifiers are Julieta Pareja, Emerson Jones, Mary Stoiana, Elvina Kalieva, Elizabeth Mandlik, and Akasha Urhobo.
Fan reactions poured in swiftly online. One user questioned, “Giving Monfils one but not giving one to a former finalist who lost to the second most prolific winner in the history of the tournament.” Another called it a “horrible choice,” emphasizing Wawrinka's achievements in his farewell year. A more controversial post stated, “Stan Wawrinka, who won 3 slams, didn’t get a wildcard at Indian Wells in his last year on tour, but Monfils gets one. It reeks of DEI and racism to me.” Supporters of Monfils countered, with one writing, “He deserves the respect. He will be missed,” and another adding, “Yep I’ll miss him terribly. One of my all-time favorite players!” Others circled back to Wawrinka, asking, “And what about #Stanwawrinka?” Without a wild card, Wawrinka may turn to Challenger events in April, May, and June or await a possible invitation to the Miami Open.
The 96-player singles draws will feature the world's top 10, with qualifying starting March 1 and main-draw action from March 4.
