After initially accepting a wild card into the Indian Wells qualifying draw, 1999 champion Mark Philippoussis withdrew his request. The former world No. 8 decided instead to replace Stefan Edberg in a senior tournament in Zurich, where he is guaranteed money. Zurich begins on March 8. Defending champion Edberg was forced to withdraw because of problems with his hip and groin.
"I am not in good enough shape to play four matches at the moment and I really want to be 100% prepared so that I can do my best," Edberg said.
Philippoussis recently won the ATP senior event in Delray Beach, falling to former coach Pat Cash in the round robin, but then besting Aaron Krickstein in the final. The 34-year-old Philippoussis hasn’t won a match on the ATP tour since 2006.
Main draw wild cards were given to Milos Raonic, Kei Nishikori, Ryan Harrison, Bernard Tomic, CoCo Vandeweghe, Christina McHale, James Blake, Vania King, Jill Craybas and Sania Mirza. Other qualifying wild cards were given to Ryan Sweeting, Steve Johnson, Greg Ouellette, Sabine Lisicki, Madison Keys, Madison Brengle, Maria Sanchez and Monica Puig.—Matthew Cronin