Top 10 seeds Maria Sakkari and Daniil Medvedev, along with Alex de Minaur, Ons Jabeur, Andrey Rublev, and Holger Rune, surprised fans at the BNP Paribas Open by taking on various event staff roles. From parking lot attendant to merchandise seller, these tennis stars went undercover, creating hilarious moments for unsuspecting fans.
During the tournament’s first week at Indian Wells, fans encountered their favorite players incognito, leading to some amusing interactions. Medvedev, working at the merchandise stand, joked with fans who couldn’t quite place his identity, with one mistaking him for his own brother. Meanwhile, Rune also found himself at the merchandise stand, drawing comparisons to himself from fans.
However, it was Rublev who stole the show with his witty responses. When asked about his resemblance to another player, he humorously replied that he didn’t like the comparison. Another fan mistook him for Jannik Sinner, to which Rublev played along, adding a touch of comedy to the encounters.
The tennis stars’ efforts didn’t go unnoticed, with fans eventually realizing who they were interacting with. Despite the initial confusion, fans welcomed the chance to meet their favorite players, eagerly accepting selfies, autographs, and handshakes.
Reflecting on the experience, Maria Sakkari, fresh from a win on the court, expressed her delight in interacting with fans in a different capacity. She appreciated the opportunity to engage with them as regular individuals, not just as tennis stars.
“People here love tennis… It was very nice to interact with people, because we don’t really get to talk to them and just have a normal chat as two regular human beings, not as a tennis player and a fan,” Sakkari shared, highlighting the unique experience of connecting with fans on a personal level.
Despite enjoying her undercover stint, Sakkari admitted she had to cut it short once fans started recognizing her. Nevertheless, she cherished the chance to work and spend time at the tournament, emphasizing the welcoming atmosphere of the event.
We have the best staff ever 😍#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/0OXhEzvnZ5
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 13, 2024
As the BNP Paribas Open continues, fans can look back on these memorable encounters with their favorite tennis stars, adding a dose of humor and camaraderie to the excitement of the tournament.
Medvedev in Indian Wells, ranking, and results in 2024
At the moment ranked no.4, Medvedev has a 12-2 match record in 2024. Medvedev is currently playing in Indian Wells where he toppled the world no.64 Roberto Carballes Baena 6-2 6-3, the world no.29 Sebastian Korda 6-4 5-7 6-3 and the world no.13 Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 6-4.
Daniil Medvedev will fight against the world no.7 Holger Rune in the quarter on Thursday at 6:00 pm on STADIUM 1. Their actual record is 1-1.
The Russian was the runner-up at the Australian Open.
Daniil won 20 titles in his career: 10 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts, 8 on indoor courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Medvedev has scheduled to compete next in Miami (Miami Open). He will start from the main draw that will commence on the 18th of March.
Rune in Indian Wells, ranking, and results in 2024
LWWWLLLWWW Now ranked no.7, Holger owns a compiled 13-5 record in 2024. Holger is now competing in Indian Wells where he managed to beat the world no.224 Milos Raonic w/o, the world no.26 Lorenzo Musetti 6-2 7-65 and the world no.12 Taylor Fritz 2-6 7-62 6-3.
Holger Rune will compete against the world no.4 Daniil Medvedev in the quarter on Thursday at 6:00 pm on STADIUM 1. The head to head is 1-1.
Rune was the finalist in Brisbane (Brisbane International).
Rune won 4 titles in his career: 2 on clay courts and 2 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
Rune has scheduled to compete next in Miami (Miami Open). He will start from the main draw that will commence on the 18th of March.
Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune faced off only twice. Their head to head is 1-1. Before, the last time they played, Daniil Medvedev won 7-5 7-5 in the final in Rome (Internazionali BNL d’Italia) in May 2023.
Here are the highlights.
Zverev in Indian Wells, ranking, and results in 2024
WWLLWWWWLW At the moment ranked no.6, Zverev owns a 14-4 win-loss record in 2024. The German is playing in Indian Wells where he bested the world no.2 Carlos Alcaraz , the world no.66 Christopher O Connell 6-4 6-4, the world no.27 Tallon Griekspoor 7-67 6-3 and the world no.10 Alex De Minaur 5-7 6-2 6-3.
Alexander Zverev will fight against the world no.2 Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter on Thursday at 3:00 pm on STADIUM 1. Their record is 7-3 for Zverev.
Alexander conquered 1 title in 2024 in Australia.
Alexander won 22 titles in his career: 8 on hard courts, 7 on clay courts and 7 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
Alex De Minaur in 2024
LWWWWWWWLW Currently the world no.10, De Minaur played his last match on the 12th of March when he capitulated to world no.6 Alexander Zverev 5-7 6-2 6-3 in the 4th round in Indian Wells (draw).
This year the Australian has a 17-5 record. De Minaur has won 1 title in Acapulco. The Australian was the finalist in Rotterdam.
Alexander Zverev and Alex De Minaur played each other 9 times. The head to head is 7-2 for Zverev. Before, the last time they competed against each other, Alexander Zverev won 5-7 6-2 6-3 in the 4th round in Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open) on the 12th of March 2024.
Here the video highlights.
