What is the Paribas Open Tennis Tournament?
The Paribas Open, also known as the BNP Paribas Open and currently sponsored by the Bank of America, is an annual tennis tournament held in Indian Wells, California. It is the largest combined event on the ATP and WTA tours and is considered one of the most prestigious events in the sport. It is held in the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, a 16-court stadium which is the second-largest tennis stadium in the world.
The tournament is played on hard courts, and the main draw of the men’s and women’s singles tournaments consists of 96 players. The tournament features a 32-player qualifying draw as well as a 32-player doubles draw for both men and women.
What Channel is the Paribas Open Tennis Tournament Broadcast On?
The Paribas Open is broadcast on the Tennis Channel. The tournament is broadcast live on the Tennis Channel in the United States, and on other channels around the world. It is also available to stream on various streaming services, such as TennisTV.
History of the Paribas Open
The Paribas Open was first held in 1974 as the “Grand Champions” tournament. It was initially held in Los Angeles, California, but moved to Indian Wells in 1987. The tournament was renamed the “BNP Paribas Open” in 2009, when the French banking group BNP Paribas became the tournament’s title sponsor. The tournament is now sponsored by Bank of America.
Notable Winners of the Paribas Open
The Paribas Open has been won by some of the greatest players in the history of tennis, including:
Men’s Singles
- Roger Federer: Federer has won the tournament a record five times, in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2012, and 2017.
- Novak Djokovic: Djokovic has won the tournament four times, in 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2016.
- Pete Sampras: Sampras won the tournament three times, in 1995, 1996, and 1998.
- Andre Agassi: Agassi won the tournament twice, in 1990 and 2001.
Women’s Singles
- Serena Williams: Williams has won the tournament a record five times, in 1999, 2001, 2013, 2015, and 2016.
- Kim Clijsters: Clijsters won the tournament four times, in 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006.
- Justine Henin: Henin won the tournament three times, in 2004, 2007, and 2008.
- Martina Navratilova: Navratilova won the tournament twice, in 1989 and 1990.
Prize Money at the Paribas Open
The Paribas Open is one of the most lucrative tennis tournaments in the world. The total prize money for the 2019 event was $15.3 million, with the singles champions receiving $1.34 million each.
Notable Facts About the Paribas Open
- The Paribas Open is the first professional tennis tournament to be held in the state of California.
- The tournament was the first to offer equal prize money to both men and women.
- The tournament is the only event to feature a round-robin format in the first round.
- The tournament has been broadcast on television since 1999.
- The tournament is the only one to feature a “super tiebreak” to determine a winner in the men’s and women’s singles finals.
Paribas Open in the Media
The Paribas Open is one of the most popular and most watched tennis tournaments in the world. It is broadcast on the Tennis Channel in the United States, and on various channels around the world. It is also streamed live on various streaming services, such as TennisTV.
Schedule of the Paribas Open
The tournament is held over two weeks, usually in March. The qualifying rounds are held the first week, followed by the main draw the second week. The tournament is usually held from Monday to Sunday, with the men’s and women’s singles finals on the Sunday.
Conclusion
The Paribas Open is one of the most prestigious and lucrative tennis tournaments in the world. It is broadcast on the Tennis Channel in the United States, and on other channels around the world. It has been won by some of the greatest players in the history of tennis, and is held in the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, a 16-court stadium which is the second-largest tennis stadium in the world.