“We are thrilled that the Indian Wells Tennis Garden will have not only a world-class playing surface for 2025, but also a partner that shares our commitment to ensuring sustainability,” said BNP Paribas Open CMO Philippe Dore, addressing the surface change from ‘Plexipave’ to ‘Laykold’ earlier this January. However, not all changes are met with applause, and this surface shift has definitely not been received well. Understandably so, as it directly impacts players and may even affect the tournament’s prestige. The voiced apprehension of Carlos Alcaraz about the redesign has elicited significant responses. Adding to the debate now, Elena Rybakina has also weighed in.
The BNP Paribas Open has long been a ‘crown jewel’ in the tennis calendar, holding the prestigious status of both a WTA 1000 and an ATP Masters event. But just days before the action begins, the tournament has unveiled a groundbreaking transformation, one that shakes up a tradition over two decades in the making. For years, the Sunshine Doubles tournament relied on Plexipave, an acclaimed acrylic surface prized for its durability, eco-friendliness, and low maintenance.
However, now, in a bold shift, the tournament is switching to another surface, “Laykold”: a cutting-edge surface renowned for delivering up to 10x greater consistency than industry standards and uniquely integrating recycled professional tennis balls for sustainability criteria. And, with the change already in motion, former champion and current 7th seed Elena Rybakina hasn’t held back, sharing her thoughts on this monumental shift, following the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz.
Former champ Elena Rybakina about the new surface of the Indian Wells courts.
“I feel that it’s not much faster, but maybe they now bounce a little bit lower”.
That’s been the opinion of most (if now all) players during the Media Day at the Desert. pic.twitter.com/XCQ8ly2nrV
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) March 5, 2025
Ahead of the start of the tournament, the 2023 BNP Paribas Open winner, Elena Rybakin, addressed the press and talked about the surface change. “I feel that it’s not much faster, but maybe they now bounce a little bit lower,” she remarked. The BNP Paribas Open has long been known as one of the slowest hard-court events, maintaining its trademark pace even though hard courts across both the ATP and WTA tours have sped up in recent years. However, this latest surface change could bring a noticeable shift in California, much like the Miami Open in 2023, which saw quicker returns because of low bounce after transitioning to Laykold.
Even Carlos Alcaraz, the World No. 3, spoke about it at the media day. “The court is a little faster, yes; it’s something I didn’t understand when I saw it. This tournament has been played on the same surface for 25 years, on the same court, but now it has been changed. I don’t know why, honestly. I’ll have to train to see him, although I consider myself a player who adapts well to the conditions in which he’s playing. I think I play very good tennis, even if the courts are a little faster, but I admit that I didn’t understand it when I read it,” the Spaniard added.
And speaking of Rybakina, well, the 2023 champion couldn’t defend her title last year as she was unable to participate in the prestigious Sunshine Doubles! Why though?
Elena Rybakina was devastated about missing the BNP Paribas Open 2024
Two years ago, Elena Rybakina claimed her maiden WTA 1000 title in style, defeating the second seed, Aryna Sabalenka, in the BNP Paribas Open final. That remarkable run also saw her take down Polish quick-fire Iga Swiatek on her path to glory. However, her bid for back-to-back titles at the Sunshine Doubles was cut short last year when gastrointestinal issues forced her to withdraw at the last moment before the tournament started.
Heartbroken, Rybakina had to step away from the tournament she once conquered in style, leaving fans and herself disappointed. “It is with great sadness I must announce that I will not be able to participate at this year’s Indian Wells tournament due to gastrointestinal issues. Those close to me know how much this tournament means to me and how much I wanted to come back and defend my title. I would like to thank all the fans who came out here to support me, and I am sorry they will not get a chance to see me play this year,” the Kazakh announced.
Amid the ongoing turbulence in her coaching team with Goran Ivanisevic’s departure and Stefano Vukov’s continued suspension, can Elena Rybakina focus on the task in hand and reclaim her glory in the Californian desert? What do you think?
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