“It means a lot to me, lifting this trophy, winning this tournament, because I overcame a lot of problems in my head, a lot of physical problems,” said Carlos Alcaraz last year after he triumphed over the Russian Daniil Medvedev in the final of the Indian Wells. He was thrilled quite clearly. And why wouldn’t he be? Defending his title and setting the stage for a rare three-peat, an elite feat achieved only by Federer and Djokovic, was nothing less than extraordinary! But as the Spaniard gears up for the Sunshine Double this year, he’s not too pleased. But why? Well, the tournament – in its biggest revamp in 25 years has undergone a surface change. And that doesn’t have Alcaraz’s nod. Not yet, anyway!

The Indian Wells Open kicks off tomorrow, marking the first ATP and WTA combined Masters 1000 event of the year. The prestigious tournament, a key event in the calendar, will be contested over two weeks under arduous desert conditions, with a prize pool of $19,387,080 — a 7.76% increase from 2024. And who’s fired up for it? None other than Carlitos! The third seed has dominated this court the last two years, clinching back-to-back titles, including last year’s emphatic straight-sets win over Medvedev, his first trophy since July 2023. However, this time, there’s a shake-up. 

At the ‘Media Day’ before the tournament, the defending champion was asked about the tournament’s major overhaul aimed at enhancing playing conditions. Carlos responded, “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.” But what exactly changed at the surface that caught the attention of the two-time defending champion?

BNP Paribas Open has long relied on Plexipave, a durable and eco-friendly acrylic surface known for its consistent ball bounce and anti-glare finish. Used at the AO since 2008, Plexipave has been a staple in professional tennis, offering reliability and low maintenance throughout. However, in a major shift, the tournament organizers announced a groundbreaking partnership with ‘Laykold’, a globally recognized sports surfacing provider. Under this agreement, Laykold will supply a cutting-edge, ‘high-performance’ surface for the tournament, marking a significant transition for the world’s largest ATP/WTA combined event, which features around 29 courts.

Laykold courts are also praised for their superior consistency, which is up to 10 times greater than the industry standard, and are the only surfaces in tennis incorporating recycled tennis balls, as well as reinforcing their commitment to sustainability. With a strong presence at tournaments like the US Open, Miami Open, and other top-tier events, Laykold’s surface at the Sunshine Dobles is expected to play slightly faster with a lower bounce. 

And just before the tournament began, Carlos shared his thoughts on achieving the rare three-peat at the championships as well. 

“It would be a great thing to achieve” — Carlos opens up about winning the Sunshine Doubles this year

Carlos Alcaraz has never shied away from praising the greats of the sport, especially the legendary Big 3. Take his recent revelation, where the Spaniard shared thoughts on who could match the combined legacy of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. He made it quite clear that the void was impossible to fill anytime soon.

However, as he steps into the upcoming BNP Paribas Open, Alcaraz now stands on the brink of a rare feat in the desert: one only achieved by Swiss icon Roger Federer (2004-06) and Serbian GOAT Novak Djokovic (2014-16). And just before the tournament kicked off, he shared his thoughts on the prospect of surpassing two of the sport’s biggest icons at Tennis Paradise.

Speaking at the Media Day, Alcaraz further added, “I know this is something that only two players in all history have achieved, I think. I’m ready to withstand that pressure, although I’ll try not to think about it. I will try to enjoy it, as I always did when I came to play this tournament, whether it was training or playing. Everything for me here is so easy, so I only think about enjoying the event. it is an appointment that I look forward to throughout the year. But yes, it would be a great thing to achieve.”

Having already tasted glory in 2025 by winning the ATP Rotterdam Open, his first at Indoor, will he be able to continue the momentum at the Indian Wells? Or will the surface change pose a challenge for him? Share your thoughts in the comments below.