INDIAN WELLS – World No. 1 Novak Djokovic and fourth-ranked Caroline Wozniacki will defend their titles at the US$11 million Indian Wells ATP and WTA hardcourt event that begins today.
The record prize purse for ATP-WTA events outside majors includes $1 million for both the men’s and women’s singles champion. Women’s main draw matches begin on Wednesday. The men open Thursday. High seeds have first-round byes.Serbian star Djokovic captured Indian Wells as part of a stunning 2011 start of 41 match wins in a row. Djokovic began 2012 by winning the Australian Open crown but he lost to Britain’s Andy Murray in last week’s Dubai Open semi-finals.Djokovic, a five-time Grand Slam champion who could claim his fourth Slam title in a row by winning the French Open in June, beat Spanish World No. 2 Rafael Nadal in the 2011 Indian Wells final and also took the trophy in 2008.Denmark’s Wozniacki has lost her World No. 1 ranking and defends full points at Indian Wells, but is more concerned about form than jumping back up the list and said she does not feel extra pressure defending the crown.
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