Just as the prestigious Grand Slams have their hierarchy, the Masters+ events (comprising the ATP Masters 1000, WTA 1000, and the ATP Finals) follow their own pecking order in modern-day professional tennis. Among them, the Indian Wells Open stands out as one of the most prestigious, classified as both a WTA 1000 and an ATP Masters event for years. However, just before the tournament kicks off in a couple of days, the tournament has announced a groundbreaking overhaul: one that disrupts a tradition spanning over two and a half decades. And no, it has nothing to do with the balls or the order of play, though. Instead, the biggest change comes in the playing surface itself, signaling a bold move to enhance the player’s overall experience.
The Indian Wells has long relied on Plexipave, a renowned ‘acrylic’ surface known for its durability, eco-friendliness, and relatively low maintenance costs. Used at the AO since 2008, Plexipave offers a consistent ball bounce, reliable spin, and an ‘anti-glare finish’ that enhances visibility. Its textured surface ensures optimal grip, reducing wear on ‘tennis balls’ and ‘shoes’ while providing players with a secure footing.
However, in a major shake-up, the tournament authority has announced a significant change, after decades of use, Plexipave will be replaced with a new surface now. And the replacement? A court material famously associated with a GS in the United States, marking a historic change aimed at enhancing the player experience of playing and redefining the tournament’s playing conditions.
Earlier this year, the BNP Paribas Open organizers announced a groundbreaking partnership with ‘Laykold’, a leading sports surfacing provider known for its presence at top-tier tennis events across the world. Under this brand new agreement, Laykold will supply what is described as a “cutting-edge and high-performance” playing surface to the BNP Paribas Open. The change marks a significant transition for the world’s biggest ATP/WTA combined event, which features 29 courts.
Indian Wells will change their surface provider to Laykold – which is in use in Miami and the US Open (since 2020)
– The tournament had been using Plexipave for over 25 years
– Should be a little quicker and lower bouncing than usual, but the conditions of the… pic.twitter.com/tBibTkRDO8
— Olly Tennis (@Olly_Tennis_) March 2, 2025
Even, the BNP Paribas Open CMO, Philippe Dore, shared his remark on the historic change while quoting, “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. 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,”
Laykold surfaces are known for their exceptional quality, delivering up to “10 times greater consistency” than the industry standard. They are also the only surface provider to incorporate ‘recycled tennis balls’ into their court systems, reinforcing their commitment to sustainability. Laykold’s impressive portfolio in tennis includes major tournaments such as the prestigious US Open, Miami Open, Western & Southern Open, and National Bank Open. The new surface at 2025 Indian Wells is expected to play slightly quicker and produce a lower bounce than the previous year, but the desert conditions and high temperatures might still maintain the tournament’s traditionally slower playing conditions throughout.
And, speaking of Indian Wells, this time, plenty to look forward to as players are already making their waves into the prestigious Sunshine Doubles.
Major players that have the momentum heading into tennis paradise
The Serbian Novak Djokovic is set to return to ATP 1000 Masters action at BNP Paribas as he continues his pursuit of a historic 100th singles title. The 24-time GS winner, who retired from the AO semifinals due to a hamstring issue and suffered an early exit in Qatar, will look to regain momentum in the desert.
The Spanish No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz eyes a historic ‘three-peat’ after back-to-back triumphs over Daniil Medvedev, while the German Alexander Zverev leads the men’s seeding at the top. WTA ace Iga Swiatek defends her title against top contenders like Belarusian top seed Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and AO champion Madison Keys.
Rising superstars Brazilian Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien, both fresh off breakthrough performances, have secured wild cards in the top draw.
The action is already underway today with the qualifiers at the stunning Indian Wells Tennis Garden, home to the world’s second-largest tennis stadium. The stage is set for an exciting tournament in the new season. Who do you think will lift the trophies this year?
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