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BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells)
For the first time in March 2009, BNP Paribas will be the title sponsor of the former Indian Wells Championship, now BNP Paribas Open. The partnership is effective as of the beginning of the tournament, 9 March 2009.
Also known as the Grand Slam of the West, the tournament is often considered as the 5th most important tennis event in the world, after the 4 of the Grand Slam.
Hosted in the gardens of Indian Wells, California, at a 16,000 seat stadium, the second largest in the world, the tournament gathers each for a two weeks in march, world's greatest players.
Established in 1976, the tournament has a long list of tennis icons on its list. Among the past participants are Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Boris Becker, Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Monica Seles, Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport and Maria Sharapova
Rafael Nadal (ESP) and Vera Zvonareva (RUS) have won the 2009 tournament.