Mixed doubles teams we'd love to see at Indian Wells: Swiatek-Alcaraz, Gauff-Shelton & more

The entry lists for singles and doubles at the BNP Paribas Open are already starting to fill up, and along with the news of the addition of a wheelchair doubles tournament at the Miami Open, there's a ton of interest in the pairs heading into this year's Sunshine Swing.

Last week, our Tennis.com editors couldn’t resist dreaming up dynamic duos that we’d love to see in Indian Wells—and the responses ranged from Olympics-worthy to simply wishful thinking. So this Valentine’s Day, why not let Baseline take a stab at a few mixed doubles pairings?

How incredible would it be to see…

Coco Gauff & Ben Shelton

Are these two still considered young guns? Gauff and Shelton are setting the stage for the next wave of American tennis, and could very well be the flashy duo that mixed doubles needs to draw in the crowds.

Iga Swiatek & Carlos Alcaraz

Both players have experienced similar professional trajectories: quick rise to the top, record-breaking performances, and expected deep runs in draws. Alcaraz’s variations complement Swiatek’s established game, and together, they could be serious contenders for the doubles title.

Katie Boulter & Alex de Minaur

The beginning of the year had these two lovebirds pitted against each other as Boulter and De Minaur competed for Great Britain and Australia at the United Cup. But with the Valentine’s charm sweeping the nation, it’s about time this couple is united at Indian Wells.

Zheng Qinwen & Zhang Zhizhen

Chinese tennis is creeping to the top of the tour. Zheng reached new heights at the Australian Open just weeks ago, and Zhang continues to challenge the ATP tour since his historic Masters 1000 quarterfinal appearance in 2023. It would be great to see the countrymen come together.

Mirra Andreeva & Ugo Humbert

Unexpected? Sure, but Andreeva has the great ability to adjust as a match progresses, and is still relatively new to the tour—which means her game is new and exciting and can shake up more seasoned competitors. Humbert’s lefty twist is a great asset for doubles play, not to mention his serve placement would set up his partner for a wicked volley attack.