In 1991, Jim Courier won the longest Indian Wells final in history, beating Frenchman Guy Forget in the final.
Courier, a two-time Australian Open champion, defeated Forget 4-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 in three hours and 30 minutes, winning his first title in California.
The American star, who has gone on to enjoy a successful punditry career, defeated Andre Agassi, Emilio Sanchez and Michael Stich on his way to the final.
After defeating Forget in the championship showpiece, Courier admitted that he had played the best tennis of his career during that week.
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Jim Courier said his 1991 Indian Wells run was the ‘best week of tennis’ he’d ever played
“This is without question the best week of tennis I’ve played, Courier said after the final, as per UPI.
“This is a championship series event; all the best players who are healthy – outside of (Ivan) Lendl – are here. It’s a big honor for me to win here.
“Today was my day – maybe next week will be Guy’s. That’s how the game is.
“Guy is probably the hottest player on the tour right now. When he’s hot there’s not a lot you can do.”
Courier also won the doubles event. Partnered with Spain’s Javier Sanchez, the pair defeated Guy Forget and Henri Leconte 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 to win the title.
Two years later, Courier lifted the Indian Wells singles trophy for a second time.
Courier, the top seed, defeated David Wheaton, Todd Martin, Marc Rosset and Michael Chang to reach the final in California.
In the final, Courier beat South African 14th seed Wayne Ferreira 6-3, 6-3, 6-1.
The first Indian Wells champions
In 1974, Australian star John Newcombe was crowned as the first champion of the Indian Wells Open.
Newcombe, who won 26 major titles across singles and doubles, beat Jeff Borowiak, Ion Tiriac, Harold Solomon and Brett Gottfried to win the title.
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Manuela Maleeva won the inaugural women’s singles title 15 years later, beating Jenny Byrne in the final.
Maleeva, who achieved a career-high ranking of world number three during her career, beat Helen Sukova on her way to the title.
