Young ATP and WTA players making waves at Indian Wells
Rising talents like Joao Fonseca, Colton Smith, Hailey Baptiste, and Ashlyn Krueger are making a strong impression at Indian Wells, showing their potential on the ATP Tour.
At the 2025 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, emerging talents Joao Fonseca and Colton Smith are making their mark. Fonseca, a 18-year-old from Brazil, showcased his mental toughness by coming from behind to defeat Britain’s Jacob Fearnley 6-2, 1-6, 6-3. Despite struggling in the second set and facing a 3-1 deficit in the third, Fonseca’s resilience allowed him to advance to the second round, marking a strong start to his Indian Wells campaign.
Similarly, American qualifier Colton Smith had a standout moment in his first ATP Masters 1000 main draw appearance, defeating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. Celebrating his 22nd birthday the night before, Smith’s win was a significant milestone in his career and a strong signal of his potential to make waves on the ATP Tour. Both Fonseca and Smith are proving that the next generation is ready to take on the big stage, and their performances in Indian Wells will be ones to watch as they continue to grow.
On the WTA side, Hailey Baptiste, 23, and Ashlyn Krueger, 20, have impressed with their performances, each moving forward into the later rounds of the tournament. Baptiste has shown poise and maturity this tournament, set to play Danielle Collins, while Krueger continues to make waves as one of the sport’s top young talents, set to play Elina Svitolina. Another young star to watch is 22-year-old Clara Tauson, who has been performing well and is making her mark on the WTA circuit, making the final of the Dubai Master’s 1000 event earlier this year. These young players are giving fans a glimpse of the future of tennis, with their promising starts at Indian Wells signaling more to come in their careers.
Inside the Baseline…
It’s refreshing to see a new wave of young talent making their mark at Indian Wells, with players like João Fonseca, Colton Smith, Hailey Baptiste, and Ashlyn Krueger all showing they have the skills and determination to compete at the highest levels. There’s something exciting about watching the next generation rise up, especially when they manage to break through in a tournament as prestigious as this. It feels like a changing of the guard is happening, and if these players can keep up the momentum, it will only be a matter of time before we see them consistently challenging the more established names in tennis. They’re not just getting noticed, they’re starting to shape the future of the game.
READ NEXT: Naomi Osaka-‘Worst match I’ve ever played’ after Indian Wells exit
Join >> Receive $700/£600 of tennis gear from the Tennishead CLUB
Social >> Facebook, Twitter & YouTube
Read >> World’s best tennis magazine
Shop >> Lowest price tennis gear from our trusted partner
