The BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells isn’t just a regular tennis tournament, it’s where the sport’s finest meet Hollywood’s elite under the golden desert sun. A haven for purists and A-listers alike, the 2025 edition promises an even more lavish VIP experience, featuring upgraded suites, top-tier dining, and a dazzling guest list. Over the years, stars like Charlize Theron and Will Ferrell have graced the stands at the Indian Wells, while billionaires like Bill Gates have soaked in the scintillating tennis action as well. And in the ongoing edition, as the 21-year-old Danish sensation Holger Rune put on a show at Court 1, a high-profile couple marked their presence on the sidelines. Guess who they were?
After a commanding 6-2, 6-4 victory over Frenchman Corentin Moutet in the BNP Paribas Open second round, the former world 4th seed Holger Rune found himself locked in a fierce showdown against another Frenchman, Ugo Humbert, for a spot in the R16. Despite dropping the opening set 5-7, the Danish sensation roared back with relentless determination, sealing a thrilling 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 win and booking his place against the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas.
But it wasn’t just Rune’s resilience that stole the spotlight: courtside glamor took center stage as well. Fresh off making waves at the Oscars, an Academy Award nominee and his beloved turned heads in the stands, radiating romance while passionately cheering on the Danish star.
A while back, the official BNP Paribas Open page on X sent the internet buzzing with a heartwarming courtside moment. In a short video clip, Hollywood’s beloved duo, Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet, were seen sharing an affectionate kiss, and their public display of affection was perfectly captured by the cameras.
Chalamet, fresh off his 2nd Academy Award nomination for portraying Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, looked completely at ease beside Kylie as they enjoyed the electrifying battle between Danish powerhouse Holger Rune and Frenchman Ugo Humbert. The post, playfully captioned “A different kind of love ,” set social media abuzz. Adding to the star-studded spectacle from the courtside, Kylie’s sister, Kendall Jenner, was also in attendance, soaking in the thrilling match between the two tennis aces.
A different kind of love @KendallJenner | @KylieJenner | @RealChalamet | #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/1FaGXgB9mR
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 10, 2025
The Indian Wells Tennis Garden has long been a magnet for A-listers and influencers alike, with last year’s women’s final drawing Challengers star Zendaya and her actor boyfriend, Tom Holland. The power couple watched from the Tennis Channel suite and even posed for a celebratory photo with the reigning champion, the current second seed, Iga Świątek.
Of course, Hollywood and tennis have intertwined in unforgettable ways before this. Two years ago, actor Ben Stiller found himself hilariously entangled in one of Aussie great Nick Kyrgios’ most famous outbursts, when the Aussie berated a heckler seated near the Zoolander star. “Don’t tell me how to play. Do I tell him how to act?” Kyrgios said before pointing to Stiller. Stiller later humorously offered his coaching services to the Wimbledon 2022 finalist in a Twitter exchange.
As Kylie and Timothee made headlines off the court, the Danish ace Rune emphatically secured his place in the Round of 16 on the court.
“Nothing was easy today,” Holger Rune opens up after the epic comeback against Humbert
Holger Rune battled through a nail-biting clash against Ugo Humbert in today’s match, emerging victorious eventually. The Danish ace won an impressive 75 percent of his first-serve points despite struggling with 42 unforced errors. After a rocky start to the season, falling in the 4th round of the AO, exiting in the R16 at both ATP Rotterdam and the Argentina Open, and missing the Rio Open because of injury, this win was a much-needed confidence booster for him. Moreover, having also withdrawn from the Mexican Open, Rune’s triumph today marks a crucial turning point, and right after the match, he shared his excitement in the in-court interview.
“It’s been a while I had a flow in the matches, so it feels really amazing, you know. Nothing was easy today from my side, I was really digging deep and finding solutions. The timing was not there at the beginning. But I think my mentality was different today. I am really happy how I have evolved today in this tournament so far. So super happy to be through and can’t wait for Tuesday, I guess,” he said.
With the win, Holger Rune will now lock horns with Stefanos Tsitsipas. Both have crossed paths three times on the ATP Tour, with the Dane holding a flawless 3-0 record. Their latest encounter came during the Round Robin stage of the 2023 Nitto ATP Finals, where the Greek was forced to retire just 17 minutes in because of a back injury, leaving fans disheartened. Before that, the Danish bested the Greek twice in 2022. Who do you think will win this match and advance to the QF?
The post WATCH: Love Is in the Air for Kylie Jenner and Beau Timothee Chalamet as They Cheer On 21YO ATP Pro appeared first on EssentiallySports.
