Faster for some, slower for others – the new courts of Indian Wells are already the subject of debate

“I know what I’m talking about, I’m a specialist in hard courts.” In 2023 at Indian Wells, Daniil Medvedev, complained about a surface that was far too slow for his liking, letting loose one of his most famous outbursts. Two years later, the joint WTA and ATP 1000 event decided to redo its courts.

After using Plexipave for 25 years, the organisers have turned to Laykold, the company used for the US Open, as they indicated via a press release published on the event’s website.

“They rebuilt them (the surfaces) and sped them up,” a journalist said at Medvedev’s press conference ahead of the tournament. “Have you had the opportunity to train on it, already? How do you find them?”

“I love Indian Wells, and even their courts now, but they almost feel slower than they used to, very slow,” the Russian replied.

“I trained on it for two days, but with the jetlag I may not have had a very clear mind, so I can’t say I’m 100% sure of what I’m saying. I don’t know what the other players think.”

Slower for Medvedev, faster for Sabalenka, almost identical for Rybakina

Those other players who were asked the same question gave answers that did not enlighten us. We remained in the fog as opinions diverged.

Aryna Sabalenka:  “I love them (the new courts). They’re a bit faster, which is pretty good for me, right? I feel good about it at the moment. But I’ll tell you that again after my first match, I hope the answer will always be the same (smiles).”

Elena Rybakina: “I feel like they’re not that much faster, but I would say the bounce is a little bit lower. The last few days, it was very windy and then very sunny, so it’s a little different in terms of the rebound. But I still like these courts.”

Carlos Alcaraz: “The courts are faster, aren’t they? I don’t know. I don’t know the reason why they did that. I have to train on it. I consider myself a player capable of adapting his game very well to surfaces and conditions. I think I can play great tennis anyway, even if the courts are a little faster.”

You might also like this

“I have been working on everything super hard” – Dubai champion Andreeva ready for Indian Wells

tennis majors

Australian Open champ Madison Keys trying to stay grounded amidst increased expectations

tennis majors

Early Indian Wells exit “feels like a little bump in the road” for Naomi Osaka

tennis majors