World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz expresses displeasure over unexpected change at Indian Wells

Carlos Alcaraz has always found special motivation at the Indian Wells Open in California. This year, he faces the added pressure of defending back-to-back championships, having won the title in 2023 and 2024, both times defeating Daniil Medvedev in the final.

The Spanish star, currently ranked No. 3 in the ATP standings, is set to make his tournament debut on Saturday against the winner of Thursday’s matchup between fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreño and Frenchman Quentin Halys. Speaking to the media ahead of his first match, Alcaraz didn’t shy away from expressing his displeasure over a notable change to the court surface this year.

“The court is a bit faster, yes. It’s something I didn’t quite understand when I saw it. This tournament has been played on the same surface for 25 years, on the same court, but now it’s changed. I don’t know the reason, honestly,” Alcaraz admitted. “I’ll have to practice and adapt, but I consider myself a player who adjusts well to different conditions. I think I play very good tennis, even if the courts are a little faster. Still, I didn’t understand the decision when I read about it”.

The change Alcaraz referred to involves the adoption of the Laykold surface for this year’s event. Laykold is the same system used at the US Open and other key tournaments like Miami, Cincinnati, and Canada. Known for its “precision and consistency in speed adjustments within a 0.5-point margin,” Laykold also stands out as the only brand incorporating recycled tennis balls in its courts.

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain poses with the trophy after defeating Daniil Medvedev of Russia during the Men’s Final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Philippe Dore, the tournament’s marketing director, explained the reasoning behind the switch: “Laykold’s commitment to precision and consistency aligns perfectly with the tournament’s mission to provide an exceptional playing surface for the players”.

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Chasing a historic three-peat like Djokovic and Federer

Despite his initial surprise, Alcaraz remains confident in his ability to adapt and focused on achieving a historic milestone—winning three consecutive Indian Wells titles, a feat only accomplished by Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

“I know this is something only two players in history have achieved, I think. I’m ready to handle that pressure, though I’ll try not to dwell on it,” Alcaraz explained. “I’ll aim to enjoy the experience, as I always have when I come here to play. Whether training or competing, everything here feels easy to me. This event is something I look forward to all year. And yes, it would be incredible to achieve that”.