Carlos Alcaraz, the young Spanish tennis sensation, has expressed his confusion and surprise over the recent changes made to the surface at the Indian Wells tournament. The tournament, which has been played on the same Plexipave surface for the past 25 years, has now switched to Laykold, a surface known for its faster pace and lower bounce.
Alcaraz, who is aiming for his third consecutive title at Indian Wells, admitted that he did not understand the reason behind the change. In a pre-tournament press conference, he stated, “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 the tournament, it was the same court, and then right now has changed. I don’t know the reason why they did it”.
The change in surface has been a topic of discussion among players and fans alike. The Indian Wells hardcourt has traditionally been slower compared to other 1000-level events, which has suited players like Alcaraz who prefer slower courts. The decision to switch to a faster surface just days before the tournament has left many players, including Alcaraz, puzzled.
Despite his initial confusion, Alcaraz remains confident in his ability to adapt to the new conditions. He mentioned that he considers himself a player who can adjust well to different surfaces and conditions. “I have to practice on it. I think I consider myself a player who adapts very well his game, you know, on the surfaces and all the conditions that you’re playing on. I think I play great tennis anyway, even though the courts are a bit faster. But all I can say is I didn’t understand when I saw it”.
As the tournament progresses, it will be interesting to see how Alcaraz and other players adjust to the new surface. The change has certainly added an element of unpredictability to the event, and fans will be eagerly watching to see how it impacts the performances of their favorite players.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2025
Currently the world no.3, Alcaraz played his last match on the 20th of February when he was overcome by world no.24 Jiri Lehecka 6-3 3-6 6-4 in the quarter in Doha (draw).
This season Alcaraz has an overall 11-2 win-loss record. This year, Carlos lifted the trophy in Rotterdam.