Juan Martin del Potro has elected not to take the wild card into this week’s BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, which opens the door for rising Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis to play his first main draw at the event.
After returning from an 11-month hiatus in January to play Sydney (result: quarterfinal), Del Potro has been out for the last two months, recovering from a second minor surgery on his left wrist. His rehab is going well, and he’s expected to return either at Miami or early in the clay-court season in Europe.
Kokkinakis, currently ranked 124, has qualified at his last three ATP events (Memphis, Delray Beach, Acapulco). The 18-year-old has already notched big wins against Julien Benneteau and Ernests Gulbis this season, as well as a comeback from two sets down against Lukas Rosol during last weekend’s Davis Cup tie against the Czech Republic.
The main draw for the men's singles at Indian Wells will be held on Tuesday afternoon.