In the scorching desert landscape of Indian Wells, a question ricocheted among the top tennis players: if stranded, who would you choose to be with? The responses were as varied as they were intriguing, with some opting for companionship based on survival skills, while others prioritized camaraderie or linguistic compatibility. For many, Indian Wells is the most significant tournament after the Grand Slams, and the answers provided a fascinating glimpse into the personalities and preferences of tennis’ elite.
When it comes to survival, the stars of the WTA and ATP tours looked to Tommy Paul, with three votes, and Novak Djokovic, with two, to accompany them on a desert adventure. Emma Navarro, the 23-year-old American and eighth-ranked WTA player, didn’t hesitate: “Stranded in the desert with Tommy” was her top choice. She cited his outdoorsy nature, saying, “He’s a true outdoorsman. He’d probably find us food and build a shelter.” This sentiment was echoed by Taylor Fritz, the 27-year-old fourth-ranked player in the world, who jokingly remarked, “I’d choose Tommy for anything outdoors. He’d be a huge asset for our survival.”
The votes for Tommy Paul continued to pile up, with Ben Shelton, the 22-year-old 12th-ranked ATP player, also selecting him. “My choice would probably be Tommy Paul. He’s calm and collected, and he’s used to the outdoors. He’d figure out how to survive,” Shelton said. Meanwhile, Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old third-ranked WTA player, opted for the companionship of a legend: “I think Roger Federer would be a good choice. I believe he’d stay calm in these situations and know what to do,” she stated.
Other players had different preferences. Daniil Medvedev, the current sixth-ranked player in the world, quickly announced his choice: “Carlos! Carlos Alcaraz. I think he’d have good survival skills.” The 21-year-old Spaniard, in turn, pointed to the most decorated player in history, Novak Djokovic: “I think I’d choose Novak. I feel like he always finds the right solutions.” Qinwen Zheng, the ninth-ranked WTA player from China, chose a fellow woman, Emma Raducanu, due to their ability to communicate in Chinese.
Iga Swiatek, the 23-year-old second-ranked player in the world, was initially taken aback by the question but eventually presented a well-reasoned option. “I’d choose Aryna,” referring to Sabalenka, the top-ranked WTA player. “If she’s like a tiger, she’ll probably hunt something to eat, and we’ll be safe in that aspect,” Swiatek said, recalling that Sabalenka’s favorite animal is the tiger, which she has tattooed on her forearm.
Personal Connections and Humor
Some players chose based on personal connections or humor. Alex de Minaur, the 23-year-old Australian, chose his fiancée, Katie Boulter, saying, “I’d choose Katie. She can be a bit annoying at times, but yeah, she’s my answer.” Frances Tiafoe, the 27-year-old 17th-ranked player in the world, joked, “I’d go with Gael Monfils because we wouldn’t understand anything, and it would be a fun way to entertain ourselves.”
Alexander Zverev, the 27-year-old second-ranked player in the world, had the last laugh: “Novak Djokovic! Obviously, he’s the most famous person, and everyone would come looking for him,” the German said with a smile. The Indian Wells tournament, traditionally held in March, takes place in a small town with a population of just 4,757, according to the latest census, and is situated in the Coachella Valley, a arid zone of the Colorado Desert with a subtropical climate, where wind and palm trees are a familiar part of the landscape for most.
The diverse responses showcased the unique personalities and preferences of the tennis world’s elite, providing a captivating glimpse into their minds and a reminder that, even in the most challenging situations, camaraderie and humor can be just as essential as survival skills.