Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 3 and reigning champion, has expressed his surprise and confusion over the recent change in court surface at the Indian Wells Masters, where he is aiming for a third consecutive title. The tournament, traditionally played on Plexipave courts for the past 25 years, has switched to Laykold surfaces, known for their faster pace and lower bounce. This alteration aligns Indian Wells with other major tournaments like the Miami Open and the U.S. Open, which also utilize Laykold courts.
Alcaraz admitted he “didn’t understand” the rationale behind the change, stating, “This tournament has been played on the same surface for 25 years, on the same court, but now it has been changed.” Despite his surprise, the Spaniard remains confident in his adaptability, noting, “I consider myself a player who adapts very well… I think I play great tennis anyway, even though the courts are a bit faster.”
Other players have had mixed reactions to the new surface. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka praised the faster courts, believing they complement her powerful playing style. Conversely, some players, like Elena Rybakina, reported minimal change except for a slightly lower bounce, while Daniil Medvedev, who previously criticized the courts for being slow, still finds them somewhat sluggish.
As Alcaraz prepares for his title defense, he is also focusing on his improved service game, which he believes will be a significant asset on the faster courts. He expressed confidence in his second serve, describing it as “really good and solid,” and humorously added that he is “close to being a serve-bot.”
The tournament’s main draw is set to begin on March 7, with Alcaraz aiming to join Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic as the only men to win three consecutive Indian Wells titles.
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