Medvedev and Tien? Cobolli and Moutet? Sinner and Opelka? 2026 Indian Wells ATP doubles entries revealed

At each of the past two Australian Opens, Daniil Medvedev has been sent packing by Learner Tien.

The one instance the former world No. 1 got the better of the left-hander in four career meetings thus far, he even admitted afterwards that Tien “drives him nuts” on the court.

Could time next to the rising American provide Medvedev the extra insight he needs to better understand the 20-year-old’s game? Maybe, or maybe not, but their entry into Indian Wells together was one of the more surprising doubles pairings to be revealed on Monday.

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The first ATP Masters 1000 event of the season often brings together a mix of the world’s best doubles teams—such as Australian Open champions Christian Harrison and Neal Skupski—and duos compromised of either two singles competitors or a doubles specialist with a singles standout.

Medvedev’s good friends, Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev, are set to run it back in the California desert for the fourth consecutive year. But as per usual, the acceptance list for the 2026 edition brought its share of unexpected entries.

Joining Medvedev and Tien in the field are Francisco Cerundolo and Luciano Darderi, Alexander Bublik and Rajeev Ram, Flavio Cobolli and Corentin Moutet, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Sebastian Korda and the U.S. tandem of Brandon Nakashima and Frances Tiafoe.

Cousins Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot also signed up, along with Czech compatriots Jiri Lehecka and Tomas Machac. Tour pals Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Arthur Fils will compete together as well.

But one of the biggest head turners to come out of the release was over on the alternates column. Landing at No. 4 there: none other than world No. 2 Jannik Sinner next to Reilly Opelka. The four-time major winner previously took the doubles court in Indian Wells from 2022-2024, partnering Lorenzo Sonego twice and Korda once.

Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton and Joao Fonseca were also among the notable names to just miss the cut, but with three wild card places available, there’s still an opportunity beyond withdrawals for singles stars to make their way into the 32-team field.

Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic are the reigning champions and a current top four projected seed.