The 2024 BNP Paribas Open has already been a tale of two generations.
So far in week one the biggest story has been Rafael Nadal’s exit. The 37-year-old Spaniard practiced multiple times in what was expected to be his final appearance at the Indian Wells Masters, but he withdrew prior to his first-round match against Milos Raonic–which had been scheduled for Thursday night.
Andy Murray is also making his last trip to the desert, unless his plans to retire at some point this summer suddenly change. Murray is still in the draw after defeating David Goffin 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday, but the 36-year-old Scot has to face Andrey Rublev next. As for Stan Wawrinka, he may have bid farewell to Indian Wells for the final time on Thursday. The 38-year-old Swiss lost to Tomas Machac 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-2.
And then there is the extreme other end of the spectrum.
A whopping four teenagers advanced to the second round on Thursday. Jakub Mensik knocked off qualifier Seongchan Hong 6-3, 6-4, Alex Michelsen cruised past Jaume Munar 6-2, 6-3, Arthur Fils beat Nuno Borges 7-6(5), 6-2, and Jerry Shang upset Jordan Thompson 6-2, 6-3.
Mensik is currently No. 1 in the race to the NextGen ATP Finals in Jeddah. The 18-year-old Czech recently finished runner-up in Doha, where he defeated Murray and Gael Monfils before falling to Karen Khachanov. Mensik also reached the Australian Open second round as a qualifier and pushed Hubert Hurkacz to five sets.
Michelsen, 19, became the youngest American player to win a match at a Masters 1000 tournament since both Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe advanced at the 2017 Miami Open.
An all-American showdown awaits Michelsen on Saturday, when he faces Tommy Paul. Mensik will be back on the court on Friday for an intriguing matchup with Ben Shelton.
future is bright