Who were the last American players to win in Indian Wells?

The Indian Wells Open, also known as the BNP Paribas Open, is one of nine ATP/WTA 1000 tournaments on the tennis calendar. Despite the tournament being organized in the United States, American players have struggled in recent times, with the last home-grown champion coming in 2001.

Andre Agassi and Serena Williams were the last American players to lift the title at Indian Wells. Interestingly, both of them won it in 2001. Agassi defeated Pete Sampras in the final, while Serena battled past Kim Clijsters to clinch the title.

Agassi had a fabulous campaign in Indian Wells in 2001, beating the likes of Tommy Haas, Lleyton Hewitt, and Pete Sampras en route to the title. Serena too showcased some excellent skills on the court, beating Magdalena Maleeva, Lindsay Davenport and Kim Clijsters among others to lift the crown.

However, what was supposed to be the dawn of American dominance in the tournament proved to be a halting point as no player from the country has been able to emerge as the winner in the California desert since 2001.

Although America's John Isner, Mardy Fish, and James Blake made it to the final of the Masters tournament in 2012, 2008, and 2006 respectively, they all failed to end up on the winning side. Similarly, since Williams' triumph, Lindsay Davenport, a former American player, reached three consecutive finals in Indian Wells in 2003, 2004, and 2005 but couldn't get her hands on the title.

Another reason for the prolonged drought was the unavailability of both Venus and Serena Williams, who boycotted the tournament from 2002 to 2014. Serena was booed by an allegedly racist crowd amid speculations of match fixing in 2001 and refused to compete in the tournament for several years.

While she returned to Indian Wells in 2015, Venus made a comeback the following year. Serena even managed to reach the final in 2016 but lost to Victoria Azarenka in straight sets.

Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Taylor Fritz, and Reilly Opelka will lead the American charge at Indian Wells this year

Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff at the National Bank Open 2021

Reilly Opelka and Taylor Fritz are the two highest-ranked American players at this year's tournament and will look to end the country's 21-year title drought.

Fritz was a semifinalist at the Masters tournament last year and will look to go further this time around. Meanwhile, Opelka is currently in red-hot form on the ATP tour, having won the Dallas Open and reached the final at the Delray Beach Open.

On the women's side, Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula are two American players to watch out for at the BNP Paribas Open following Danielle Collins' withdrawal.

Amanda Anisimova is another young American who could make waves in the California desert.

The BNP Paribas Open kicks off on 10 March.