By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday, March 3, 2025
This year’s BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells is playing out on a new surface provided by Laykold. The big question, though, is whether or not this change makes any real difference compared to the old courts.
The decision to switch surfaces has sparked quite the debate. Many are curious about the rationale behind this change and its implications, particularly since the notoriously slow courts have been a sweet spot for players like Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz, who excel in such conditions.
However, if you ask the players, they don’t seem to notice much of a change.
Aryna Sabalenka, for instance, mentioned on Tuesday, “They’re a little bit faster, which is good for me, right? No, but it feels good, feels good so far. I’ll let you know more after my first match. I hope I’ll still like it.”
Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion, chimed in saying, “The court is faster, right? I don’t know.”
According to a statement on the tournament’s website, Laykold promises a fresh dynamic for the event, ensuring top players can perform at their absolute best. Their courts are touted as delivering ten times more consistency than the industry norm, thanks to precise adjustments in court speed. They aim to offer the most consistent playing surfaces ever seen at California’s much-anticipated event.
Elena Rybakina, the 2023 champion, shared her thoughts saying, “I feel that it’s not much faster, but perhaps the bounce is slightly lower. It’s been very windy and sunny these days, which affects the bounce too. But overall, the court still feels nice.”
Brad Stine, who coaches Tommy Paul, had a lengthy practice session with Alexander Zverev on Stadium 1 and noted, “I think the court is playing pretty much like last year. It was quite slow before. We practiced yesterday with Sascha on Stadium 1, and it was bouncing really high in there.”
Some enthusiasts worry that Laykold is moving towards standardizing surface speeds worldwide, eroding the variety that allows diverse playing styles to shine. Yet, they might be misdirecting their frustration. It appears that Laykold hasn’t significantly altered Indian Wells’ court speed.
Daniil Medvedev has voiced his criticisms in past finals runs, labeling the surface a “disgrace to sport” during a match against Zverev in 2023. He still wishes for a much faster court.
Reflecting on the current conditions, he remarked, “I like Indian Wells, and I even like the courts now, but they seem to be almost slower than before—very slow. Over the past two days, I haven’t noticed much change. I accidentally dropped my racquet today—not throwing it—and the grip got torn because the courts are so rough. And when it’s rough, it’s slow.”
