Aryna Sabalenka reacts to Novak Djokovic’s comments on ‘different’ court conditions at Indian Wells

In her opening round match at Indian Wells, Aryna Sabalenka defeated McCartney Kessler in straight sets.

Aryna Sabalenka reacts to Novak Djokovic’s comments on ‘different’ court conditions at Indian Wells

Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka (via X)

In her opening round match at the 2025 Indian Wells, Aryna Sabalenka defeated McCartney Kessler 7(7)-6(4), 6-3. In the press conference following the win, Sabalenka commented on Novak Djokovic‘s early exit and his remarks about the court.

While it was a good day for lucky loser Botic van de Zandschulp as he defeated Djokovic, it has been an unlucky run for the Serbian, who faced his second opening round exit after an injury marred Australian Open campaign. Albeit blaming himself for his performance, Djokovic also felt that the courts might have played some role.

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I think we played in different conditions and probably both played very aggressive tennis, although it is true that the serve with kick bounces much higher. Generally, in each tournament, we have a central court a little different from the other courts, it’s always a bit slower. Here the outer courts are faster than the central one. Definitely, we could find some questionable parts of the court where the ball doesn’t bounce at all or where the ball jumps very high. In my experience, I felt quite good on the court.

Aryna Sabalenka said after her win

The court surface this year have been switched from Plexipave to Laykold. This new change has grabbed eyeballs, with players seeming to not agree on whether the new courts are faster or slower and if this change is a good one or bad one.

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After his opening round defeat, Novak Djokovic remarked that the difference between the center court and the other courts is immense. He added that the ball is bouncing on the center courts higher than some of the highest clay courts, and he just struggled a lot with that.

Aryna Sabalenka will face Lucia Bronzetti in the next round at Indian Wells

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka had enjoyed a strong start to the 2025 season, capturing her 18th career WTA title in Brisbane and coming within one match of achieving a three-peat at the Australian Open. However, since losing a close three-setter to Madison Keys in the final at Melbourne, the Belarusian has struggled quite bit to find her form.

Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka (via X)

After the heartbreak at the Australian Open, Sabalenka had an opening round defeat at the Qatar Open to Ekaterina Alexandrova. Sabalenka then competed at the Dubai Tennis Championships where she lost in the round of 16 to Clara Tauson in straight sets.

Her opening round match at the Indian Wells saw a tight first set, with both players matching each other well, though Sabalenka found her edge in the tie-break before she took the set on her second attempt. Sabalenka earned her first break in the first game of the second set, while Kessler struggled to find a way back in before eventually losing her serve again in the final game.

In her next round at the Indian Wells, Sabalenka will face Lucia Bronzetti. The Indian Wells tournament also marks the return of Madison Keys to tour after her Australian Open victory. Along with Novak Djokovic, top seed Alexander Zverev also had a surprising opening round defeat to Tallon Griekspoor at the Indian Wells.