The Indian Wells womens singles champions list runs from Manuela Maleeva in 1989 to Aryna Sabalenka in 2026. The BNP Paribas Open is the biggest womens tennis event outside the four Grand Slams, a WTA 1000 tournament often called the fifth Grand Slam. This page lists every womens singles champion with the runner up, country, final score and category era, plus prize money year by year.
No woman has ever won Indian Wells more than twice, and ten players share the record with two titles each. Aryna Sabalenka is the reigning champion after saving a championship point to beat Elena Rybakina in the 2026 final. For the mens list see the Indian Wells mens singles champions page, and for the latest draw see the tournament schedule and the players and draws page.
Why the Indian Wells Womens Singles Champions List Matters
The womens draw at Indian Wells is famously open. Ten different players have two titles, nobody has three, and champions have come from more than 15 countries. Reading the list year by year shows how the event moved from a Tier III stop in 1989 to a WTA 1000 tournament with the same prize money as the men.
Key Facts About the Indian Wells Womens Event
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| First WTA edition | 1989 (Manuela Maleeva) |
| Location | Indian Wells, California, USA |
| Venue | Indian Wells Tennis Garden |
| Surface | Outdoor hard court (Laykold) |
| Category | WTA 1000 |
| 2026 womens champion | Aryna Sabalenka |
| Most titles | 10 players tied with 2 each |
| Only back to back champion | Martina Navratilova (1990 and 1991) |
| Most finals | Lindsay Davenport (6) |
About the Indian Wells Open for Women
The tournament was founded by former American pros Charlie Pasarell and Raymond Moore. While the mens lineage dates to 1974, womens professional tennis arrived in stages: a non ranking exhibition in 1987, then the first official WTA edition in 1989, won by Manuela Maleeva of Bulgaria.
How the Womens Event Grew
Pasarell and Moore set out to build a premier tennis destination in the California desert, and the event kept outgrowing its homes. In 1996 they combined the separate mens and womens tournaments into a single two week event, one of the very first fully combined ATP and WTA tournaments. In 2000 the permanent Indian Wells Tennis Garden opened, and the womens event climbed from Tier III in 1989 to WTA 1000 status.
The Williams Sisters Boycott
Serena and Venus Williams boycotted Indian Wells for 14 and 15 years after Serena reported racial hostility from the crowd during the 2001 final. Serena returned in 2015 and Venus in 2016.
Category Timeline
- 1989: WTA Tier III
- 1990 to 1995: WTA Tier II
- 1996 to 2008: WTA Tier I
- 2009 to 2019: WTA Premier Mandatory
- 2021 to present: WTA 1000
Indian Wells Womens Singles Champions 1989 to 2026
This is the complete list of every final with champion, runner up and score. Country codes appear in brackets, and AIN marks players competing as individual neutral athletes. Monica Seles and Helena Suková played for Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia at the time of their finals.
Tier III and Tier II Era 1989 to 1995
| Year | Champion | Runner up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Mary Joe Fernández (USA) | Natasha Zvereva (BLR) | 6-4 6-3 |
| 1994 | Steffi Graf (GER) | Amanda Coetzer (RSA) | 6-0 6-4 |
| 1993 | Mary Joe Fernández (USA) | Amanda Coetzer (RSA) | 3-6 6-1 7-6(6) |
| 1992 | Monica Seles (SRB) | Conchita Martínez (ESP) | 6-3 6-1 |
| 1991 | Martina Navratilova (USA) | Monica Seles (SRB) | 6-2 7-6(6) |
| 1990 | Martina Navratilova (USA) | Helena Suková (CZE) | 6-2 5-7 6-1 |
| 1989 | Manuela Maleeva (BUL) | Jenny Byrne (AUS) | 6-4 6-1 |
Tier I Era 1996 to 2008
| Year | Champion | Runner up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Ana Ivanovic (SRB) | Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) | 6-4 6-3 |
| 2007 | Daniela Hantuchová (SVK) | Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) | 6-3 6-4 |
| 2006 | Maria Sharapova (RUS) | Elena Dementieva (RUS) | 6-1 6-2 |
| 2005 | Kim Clijsters (BEL) | Lindsay Davenport (USA) | 6-4 4-6 6-2 |
| 2004 | Justine Henin (BEL) | Lindsay Davenport (USA) | 6-1 6-4 |
| 2003 | Kim Clijsters (BEL) | Lindsay Davenport (USA) | 6-4 7-5 |
| 2002 | Daniela Hantuchová (SVK) | Martina Hingis (SUI) | 6-3 6-4 |
| 2001 | Serena Williams (USA) | Kim Clijsters (BEL) | 4-6 6-4 6-2 |
| 2000 | Lindsay Davenport (USA) | Martina Hingis (SUI) | 4-6 6-4 6-0 |
| 1999 | Serena Williams (USA) | Steffi Graf (GER) | 6-3 3-6 7-5 |
| 1998 | Martina Hingis (SUI) | Lindsay Davenport (USA) | 6-3 6-4 |
| 1997 | Lindsay Davenport (USA) | Irina Spîrlea (ROU) | 6-2 6-1 |
| 1996 | Steffi Graf (GER) | Conchita Martínez (ESP) | 7-6(5) 7-6(5) |
Premier Mandatory Era 2009 to 2019
| Year | Champion | Runner up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Bianca Andreescu (CAN) | Angelique Kerber (GER) | 6-4 3-6 6-4 |
| 2018 | Naomi Osaka (JPN) | Daria Kasatkina (RUS) | 6-3 6-2 |
| 2017 | Elena Vesnina (RUS) | Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) | 6-7(6) 7-5 6-4 |
| 2016 | Victoria Azarenka (BLR) | Serena Williams (USA) | 6-4 6-4 |
| 2015 | Simona Halep (ROU) | Jelena Janković (SRB) | 2-6 7-5 6-4 |
| 2014 | Flavia Pennetta (ITA) | Agnieszka Radwańska (POL) | 6-2 6-1 |
| 2013 | Maria Sharapova (RUS) | Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) | 6-2 6-2 |
| 2012 | Victoria Azarenka (BLR) | Maria Sharapova (RUS) | 6-2 6-3 |
| 2011 | Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) | Marion Bartoli (FRA) | 6-1 2-6 6-3 |
| 2010 | Jelena Janković (SRB) | Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) | 6-2 6-4 |
| 2009 | Vera Zvonareva (RUS) | Ana Ivanovic (SRB) | 7-6(5) 6-2 |
WTA 1000 Era 2021 to 2026
| Year | Champion | Runner up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Aryna Sabalenka (AIN) | Elena Rybakina (KAZ) | 3-6 6-3 7-6(6) |
| 2025 | Mirra Andreeva (AIN) | Aryna Sabalenka (AIN) | 2-6 6-4 6-3 |
| 2024 | Iga Świątek (POL) | Maria Sakkari (GRE) | 6-4 6-0 |
| 2023 | Elena Rybakina (KAZ) | Aryna Sabalenka (AIN) | 7-6(11) 6-4 |
| 2022 | Iga Świątek (POL) | Maria Sakkari (GRE) | 6-4 6-1 |
| 2021 | Paula Badosa (ESP) | Victoria Azarenka (BLR) | 7-6(5) 2-6 7-6(2) |
The 2020 edition was not held because of the COVID 19 pandemic, so there is no champion for that year.
Indian Wells Womens Prize Money by Year 2009 to 2026
How to Read the Prize Money Table
Prize money is the cheque paid to the singles champion and the runner up in US dollars. Complete cheque figures are listed from 2009, the first year of Premier Mandatory status. Earlier years are not listed because reliable round by round figures were not published.
Champion and Runner Up Cheques 2009 to 2026
| Year | Champion | Runner up | Winner prize | Runner up prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Aryna Sabalenka | Elena Rybakina | $1,151,380 | $612,340 |
| 2025 | Mirra Andreeva | Aryna Sabalenka | $1,127,500 | $599,625 |
| 2024 | Iga Świątek | Maria Sakkari | $1,100,000 | $585,000 |
| 2023 | Elena Rybakina | Aryna Sabalenka | $1,262,220 | $662,360 |
| 2022 | Iga Świątek | Maria Sakkari | $1,231,245 | $646,110 |
| 2021 | Paula Badosa | Victoria Azarenka | $1,209,730 | $640,000 |
| 2019 | Bianca Andreescu | Angelique Kerber | $1,354,010 | $686,000 |
| 2018 | Naomi Osaka | Daria Kasatkina | $1,340,860 | $654,380 |
| 2017 | Elena Vesnina | Svetlana Kuznetsova | $1,175,505 | $573,680 |
| 2016 | Victoria Azarenka | Serena Williams | $1,028,300 | $501,815 |
| 2015 | Simona Halep | Jelena Janković | $900,400 | $439,420 |
| 2014 | Flavia Pennetta | Agnieszka Radwańska | $1,000,000 | $500,000 |
| 2013 | Maria Sharapova | Caroline Wozniacki | $1,000,000 | $500,000 |
| 2012 | Victoria Azarenka | Maria Sharapova | $1,000,000 | $500,000 |
| 2011 | Caroline Wozniacki | Marion Bartoli | $700,000 | $350,000 |
| 2010 | Jelena Janković | Caroline Wozniacki | $700,000 | $350,000 |
| 2009 | Vera Zvonareva | Ana Ivanovic | $700,000 | $350,000 |
Equal Prize Money at Indian Wells
Indian Wells first offered equal prize money in 2009 and has paid both singles champions the same cheque since 2012, with a brief exception in 2025. In 2026 both champions earned $1,151,380.
Most Womens Singles Titles at Indian Wells
No woman has won Indian Wells three times. These ten players share the record with two titles each.
| Player | Country | Titles | Finals | Title years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lindsay Davenport | USA | 2 | 6 | 1997 and 2000 |
| Steffi Graf | GER | 2 | 3 | 1994 and 1996 |
| Serena Williams | USA | 2 | 3 | 1999 and 2001 |
| Kim Clijsters | BEL | 2 | 3 | 2003 and 2005 |
| Maria Sharapova | RUS | 2 | 3 | 2006 and 2013 |
| Victoria Azarenka | BLR | 2 | 3 | 2012 and 2016 |
| Martina Navratilova | USA | 2 | 2 | 1990 and 1991 |
| Mary Joe Fernández | USA | 2 | 2 | 1993 and 1995 |
| Daniela Hantuchová | SVK | 2 | 2 | 2002 and 2007 |
| Iga Świątek | POL | 2 | 2 | 2022 and 2024 |
Martina Navratilova is the only woman to successfully defend the title in 1990 and 1991. Lindsay Davenport played six finals, the most by any woman in tournament history, though she converted only two into titles.
Womens Singles Titles by Country
| Country | Titles | Champions |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 8 | Navratilova (2), Fernández (2), Davenport (2), S. Williams (2) |
| Russia | 4 | Sharapova (2), Zvonareva, Vesnina |
| Belgium | 3 | Clijsters (2), Henin |
| Germany | 2 | Graf (2) |
| Belarus | 2 | Azarenka (2) |
| Slovakia | 2 | Hantuchová (2) |
| Serbia | 2 | Ivanovic, Janković |
| Poland | 2 | Świątek (2) |
| Others with 1 title each | 1 | Maleeva (BUL), Seles (SRB), Hingis (SUI), Wozniacki (DEN), Pennetta (ITA), Halep (ROU), Osaka (JPN), Andreescu (CAN), Badosa (ESP), Rybakina (KAZ), Andreeva and Sabalenka (AIN) |
The United States leads the honour roll, led by Navratilova, Davenport and Serena Williams.
Notable Finalists Who Never Won the Title
A few players reached multiple Indian Wells finals without ever lifting the trophy.
- Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS): 3 finals in 2007, 2008 and 2017 and 0 titles, the most runner up finishes without a win
- Maria Sakkari (GRE): 2 finals in 2022 and 2024 and 0 titles, beaten both times by Iga Świątek
Indian Wells Womens Records and Milestones
- Most titles: 10 players tied with 2 each (no three time champion)
- Most finals: Lindsay Davenport with 6
- Most consecutive titles: Martina Navratilova with 2 (1990 and 1991)
- Most consecutive finals: Lindsay Davenport with 3 (2003 to 2005)
- Most consecutive match wins: Martina Navratilova, Ana Ivanovic and Iga Świątek with 10 each
Frequently Asked Questions About Indian Wells Womens Champions
Tap or hover over a question to see the answer.
Who has won the most womens titles at Indian Wells?
No woman has won it more than twice. Ten players share the record with two titles each, including Martina Navratilova, Serena Williams, Lindsay Davenport, Maria Sharapova and Iga Świątek.
Who won the 2026 BNP Paribas Open womens title?
Aryna Sabalenka won the 2026 womens title, saving a championship point to beat Elena Rybakina 3-6 6-3 7-6(6).
How much did the 2026 womens champion earn?
The 2026 womens singles champion earned $1,151,380 and the runner up $612,340, the same as the men, as the tournament returned to equal prize money.
When did the womens event start at Indian Wells?
The first official WTA edition was in 1989, won by Manuela Maleeva of Bulgaria. The womens and mens tournaments became a combined event in 1996.
Has any woman won Indian Wells back to back?
Only one: Martina Navratilova, who won in 1990 and 1991. She is the only woman to successfully defend the title.
Who has reached the most womens finals at Indian Wells?
Lindsay Davenport, with six finals (two titles and four runner up finishes). She also holds the record for most consecutive finals, reaching three in a row from 2003 to 2005.
Who has the longest winning streak in the womens draw?
Three players share the record of 10 consecutive match wins: Martina Navratilova, Ana Ivanovic and Iga Świątek.
Which country has produced the most womens champions?
The United States, with eight titles across four champions: Navratilova, Mary Joe Fernández, Lindsay Davenport and Serena Williams.
Do men and women earn equal prize money at Indian Wells?
Yes. Indian Wells first offered equal prize money in 2009 and has paid both singles champions the same cheque since 2012, with a brief exception in 2025. In 2026 both champions earned $1,151,380.
