Janice Tjen Eyes Progress at Indian Wells 2026, Focuses on Performance Over Targets

Indonesian tennis player Janice Tjen enters the 2026 Indian Wells Open with a pragmatic approach, prioritizing performance improvement over setting specific targets. The WTA 1000 tournament, often dubbed the “Fifth Grand Slam,” takes place from March 4-15, 2026, at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California.

No Specific Goals for Indian Wells

“In every tournament, I don’t have a specific target about where I have to reach or something like that,” the 23-year-old stated during an online press conference as reported by VOI. “All I think about in every tournament I play is how I can do better than the previous tournament, how I can indicate off the things I have tried to improve and give my best.”

Recent Form and Ranking

Tjen’s ranking recently dropped to 39th in the WTA, a slight dip from her previous 36th position, following a first-round loss at the 2026 Merida Open in Mexico according to Media Indonesia. Prior to this, her best result in the seven tournaments leading up to Indian Wells was reaching the third round of the 2026 Dubai Championship, a WTA 1000 level event, where she was defeated by Amanda Anisimova.

Tough Draw Ahead

The draw presents a challenging path for Tjen. She will begin her campaign against Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian, currently ranked 35th in the world as noted by Okezone. A potential second-round matchup looms against world number one Aryna Sabalenka.

Focus on Improvement and Adaptation

Tjen emphasizes a continuous improvement mindset. She has been working on adjustments to her training regimen, including the addition of a full-time physical trainer to maintain peak fitness throughout the demanding tour schedule as reported by Media Indonesia. She aims to showcase the improvements she’s been working on with each tournament she enters.