Despite owning three US Open singles titles between them, Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner had never extended their hard-court dominance to Indian Wells. That changed this past weekend as both stars completed the box set of top-level trophies on American cement, having previously won in New York and Miami.
Continuing the parallels, both Sabalenka and Sinner were largely dominant in the desert—though each champion had to navigate tense moments en route to the title.
Sabalenka lost the only set of her campaign at the start of Sunday's final against Elena Rybakina, but battled back and saved a match point in a 3-6, 7-4, 7-6(6) victory. Sinner won all 12 sets he played, but needed identical 7-6(6), 7-6(4) scorelines to beat Joao Fonseca in the last 16 and Daniil Medvedev in the final, saving three set points against the 19-year-old Fonseca in the opening set.
Sabalenka called it the best week of her life after she got a new puppy and got engaged before winning the WTA 1000 crown. By beating Rybakina in the final, she avenged losses to the Kazakhstani in last year's Indian Wells final, last year's WTA Finals title match, and this year's Australian Open final.
"Thank god, I got this trophy," Sabalenka said after two previous runner-up finishes in Indian Wells.
"I [was] so tired of losing these big finals," added the world No. 1, who was also turned back in the Australian Open and Roland Garros title rounds last season. "I mean, don't get me wrong, players were playing incredible tennis, but still I managed to fight through and to get my opportunity, and I didn't use it so many times."
After a slow start, Sabalenka made a decision to dial back her power and work her way into the match by playing steadier tennis. As she gained her confidence back, she explained, she went back to her usual "aggressive and dominating" tennis.
"I'm super, super happy that I was able to progress that far and to have so many tools in my game, so no matter what happens in the match, I'm able to still find the small things that are going to help me to win the match," she said after winning her 23rd WTA singles title and her second of the season after Brisbane.
Sinner entered Indian Wells in search of his first final of 2026, having exited the Australian Open in the semis with a five-set defeat to Novak Djokovic and Doha in the quarters at the hands of Jakub Mensik. Adding to his motivation in the desert was the opportunity to complete his set of all six ATP Masters 1000 titles on hard courts.
"I knew that this was a tournament I haven't won, so I wanted to come here and prepare it in the best possible way, as professional as possible," he said after the final. "Having now this achievement means a lot to me."
Both Sinner and Sabalenka will have little time to celebrate before getting back on the court in Miami later this week. But true to form, Sabalenka said she will find time for an espresso martini or two before beginning her title defense in her adopted home city.
