{"id":38495,"date":"2025-03-05T11:10:29","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T11:10:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/?p=38495"},"modified":"2025-03-05T11:10:29","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T11:10:29","slug":"new-indian-wells-court-surface-daniil-medvedev-slow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/news\/new-indian-wells-court-surface-daniil-medvedev-slow\/","title":{"rendered":"The New Indian Wells Surface Draws Mixed Reception as Daniil Medvedev Chides “Slower Than Ever” Courts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Daniil Medvedev has described the newly-refurbished Indian Wells court surface as “slower than ever” despite others swooning over the improvements.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Indian Wells Court Surface Changes From Plexipave to Laykold<\/h2>\n

One of the most hotly-anticipated dates on the tennis<\/a> calendar is already underway with qualifiers battling it out for a spot in the Indian Wells main draw.<\/p>\n

Despite having the second-largest tennis-specific stadium in the world and indistinguishable facilities to that of Grand Slam venues, organisers at Indian Wells have sought to improve the court surfaces for 2025, along with a record Indian Wells prize money<\/a> pool.<\/p>\n

Even in the face of being affectionately known as the ‘fifth Grand Slam<\/a>‘ by those on Tour, Indian Wells is notorious for having slow, gritty Plexipave courts.<\/p>\n

In an attempt to align with other faster courts in North America, Indian Wells have since changed its surface provider to Laykold; the same used at the Miami Open and US Open.<\/p>\n

As a result, players can expect the ball to bounce lower but the tempo to be faster.<\/p>\n

New Court Surface at Indian Wells Draws Mixed Reviews<\/h2>\n

Inevitably, the first court surface update in 25 years has drummed up plenty of speculation as to what effect it may have.<\/p>\n

WTA number one Aryna Sabalenka – whose baseline power-play aligns with the new surfaces – has come out in full support of the change in a typically tongue-in-cheek interview.<\/p>\n

“I love them [the courts]. They’re a little bit faster, which is good for me, right?” Sabalenka told reporters.<\/p>\n

“It feels good so far. I’ll tell you later after my first match. I hope I’ll still like it.”<\/p>\n

The same can not be said for the other side of the draw, as reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz – who is eyeing a third straight title in California – questioned why the decision was taken to update the surfaces.<\/p>\n

“The court is faster, right? I don’t know. Honestly, it’s a change that I didn’t understand when I saw it; it was 25 years since the tournament, it was the same court, and then right now, it has changed,” said Alcaraz.<\/p>\n

“I don’t know the reason why did it. I have to practice on it. I think I consider myself a player who adapt very well his game, you know, on the surfaces and all the conditions that you’re playing on.”<\/p>\n

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\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddf8 Carlos Alcaraz crushing the ball inside an empty Indian Wells centre court as he prepares to defend his title \ud83c\udfc6#TheFirstServe<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/a7zMHwWeTx<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The First Serve (@TheFirstServeAU) March 5, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n