Indian Wells Open changes surface provider after 25 years, playing conditions expected to be faster

Defending champion at Indian Wells, Carlos Alcaraz, may struggle to defend their title.

The Indian Wells Masters, also known as the unofficial fifth Grand Slam, is slated to undergo a massive transition this year. The ATP-1000 and WTA-1000 event witnesses top tennis stars from across the globe compete for a lucrative prize pool and precious points.

The event organizers have announced a new partnership with sport surfacing provider Laykold, who already have partnerships with many other top events in tennis. Under the agreement, Laykold will provide ‘cutting-edge and high-performance’ surfaces to the world’s biggest ATP/WTA combined events.

Previously Plexipave was in charge of the courts at Indian Wells for more than two decades. “Laykold’s commitment to court precision and consistency aligns perfectly with the BNP Paribas Open’s mission to provide an exceptional playing surface for players,” said BNP Paribas Open Chief Marketing Officer, Philippe Dore.

“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.”

Big change at Indian Wells.This year, Indian Wells has changed the surface provider from Plexipave to Laykold.Laykold is the same one used in Miami and the US Open, which are typically quicker hard courts. Traditionally, Indian Wells always had a slower and higher bounce due… pic.twitter.com/JMuA3jFFwM

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 2, 2025

The most unique aspect about these Laykold courts, is that they are estimated to provide 10 times the consistency of the industry standard and are the only company incorporating recycled tennis balls into their court systems. Their portfolio includes prestigious tournaments such as the US Open, Miami Open, Western & Southern Open, and National Bank Open.

The previous court, Plexipave, was renowned for being a slow, high-bouncing surface, whereas Laykold offers a medium pace with a lower bounce. As a result, rally speeds could be faster compared to 12 months ago.

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“We are excited to be a part of the BNP Paribas Open,” said Dave Wheaton, Laykold Director of Sales. “The Indian Wells Tennis Garden is one of the most iconic venues in tennis, and we are honored to provide our surface for such a prestigious event.”

The change in format could affect defending champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz. While both players have secured US Open titles, their game is more suited to slower surfaces giving them the extra second to generate power behind shots. Swiatek in particular, uses this attribute to her advantage at the French Open where she has four trophies.

However, the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina and Daniil Medvedev would not be complaining given their excellent record on faster courts than slow tracks. Both Swiatek and Alcaraz will be looking for their third title in California this year. The impact of the change in surfaces though, could prove to be the turning point of the Indian Wells 2025.

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