Having Fun Off the Courts

Part of the fun of the BNP Paribas Open is that all the top players in the world come to Indian Wells, and they are way more relaxed here than at any of the other big tennis tournaments.

Case in point what has become an annual ritual on the grassy warm-up area just outside the main stadium, pickup soccer games.

Before the action on the courts heats up, No. 1 Novak Djokovic and No. 2 Rafael Nadal showed off some of their soccer skills, with the cameras watching.

Playing with Serbian Janko Tipsarevic, ranked No. 10, and another Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, No. 15, Nadal fired a shot into the back of the onion bag.

Now, the real matches can begin.