By Adrianna Outlaw | Tuesday, March 10, 2015

 

Rafael Nadal worked up a sweat during his opening practice session at Indian Wells on Monday.

Photo credit: @BNParibas Open

The stars were shining in the desert daylight at Indian Wells on Monday.

Rafael Nadal worked up quite a sweat training for his first hard-court event since losing to Tomas Berdych in the Australian Open quarterfinals.

Nadal opened the month beating good friend Juan Monaco in the Buenos Aires final to collect his 65th career title—and first since the 2014 French Open. The three-time Indian Wells champion lost a tight 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (5) third-round match to Alexandr Dolgopolov at Indian Wells last March.


Photo Credit: @BNPParibasOpen

Maria Sharapova, who has reached the BNP Paribas Open final in two of the last three years, prepares for her first match after conceding a walkover to Caroline Garcia in the Acapulco semifinals.

The second-ranked Russian, who has a first-round bye, will play either former U.S. Open semifinalist Yanina Wickmayer or Italian Karin Knapp in the second round.


Photo Credit: Christopher Levy (@tennis_shots)

The grassy field across from the player dining hall is a popular site for stretching and soccer. 

Agnieszka Radwanska did a bit of both, getting her kicks in before afternoon practice.



Photo Credit: Christopher Levy (@tennis_shots)

Behind a pair of wraparound shades Hall of Famer Martina Navratilova, Radwanska's coach, watches her charge on the practice court. Navratilova took some cell phone shots of Radwanska's serve and strokes during practice, presumably for some further stroke analysis.



Photo Credit: Christopher Levy (@tennis_shots)

Puerto Rico's Monica Puig applies some serious leg drive getting low for her backhand.

The world No. 49 is scheduled to face American Nicole Gibbs in the first round.


Photo Credit: Christopher Levy (@tennis_shots)

Taylor Townsend has a big game. Now she's got a big stick to match it.

Townsend brings positive memories back to the desert. A year ago, the then 17-year-old American saved all six break points she faced in the second set in defeating Knapp, 7-6 (1), 6-1, to reach the Indian Wells second round.


Photo Credit: Christopher Levy (@tennis_shots)

Alla Kudryavtseva's father, Alexander, is a former world champion Greco-Roman wrestler. His daughter displays decisive take-down technique on her racquet.


Photo Credit: Christopher Levy (@tennis_shots)

World No. 107 Yulia Putintseva provided one of the most emotional reactions of the day. Putintseva edged Edina Gallovits-Hall, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 in the first round of qualifying and still showed an energetic post-match celebration after a grueling three hour, nine-minute battle.