Carlos Alcaraz admits he “didn’t understand” why Indian Wells resurfaced their court after 25 years

Carlos Alcaraz bids to win the Indian Wells for the third consecutive time after just winning one title this season.

Carlos Alcaraz admits he “didn’t understand” why Indian Wells resurfaced their court after 25 years

Carlos Alcaraz (via Instagram)

Carlos Alcaraz is set to compete at the Indian Wells Masters which starts on Wednesday (March 5). The World No.3 is seeking to win the title for the third consecutive time in a row. However, the tournament might not go as planned for the Spaniard after he opened up about the change of surface at the Masters 1000 event.

The Indian Wells organizers, earlier this week, announced that they have changed the surface of their courts. It changed the surface provider from Plexiwave, which was out at the tournament for 25 years, to the conventional Laykold. The latter surface is been used at the US Open and Miami Open.

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The tournament organizers reveal that the reason for acquiring the Laykold surfaces was to make playing conditions more consistent with the Miami Open and the US Open. However, the change has gone well with some players, such as Daniil Medvedev and Elena Rybakina, who have revealed that they love the changes.

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But Alcaraz was not well pleased with the surface change. He revealed in a recent interview that he didn’t understand why the surface was changed despite the previous one being used for 25 years.

The court is a bit 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 changed. I don’t know the reason, honestly. I’ll have to train to see it, although I consider myself a player who adapts well to the conditions he’s playing in. I think I play tennis very well, even if the courts are a bit faster, but I admit I didn’t understand it when I read about it.

Carlos Alcaraz said via Puntodebreak

Alcaraz has been handed a first round bye at the Indian Wells Open due to his ranking. He will open his campaign in the second round against either Quentin Halys or fellow compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta.

Carlos Alcaraz believes many top players are competing for the Indian Wells title in the absence of Jannik Sinner

Carlos Alcaraz is a strong favorite to win the Indian Wells Open as his arch-rival Jannik Sinner will not play in the tournament. The Italian is serving his three-month suspension which he agreed with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to conclude his doping saga, which began in March last year.

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Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz (Image via Reuters)

Alcaraz was asked in a recent interview about how he sees the tournament without Sinner. The World No.3 pointed out that despite the Italian absence, other top players are aiming to win the title.

Jannik’s not playing, but there are a lot of the best players in the world (that) are playing here. I think the draw is really open. I’m just focused on my things, on myself, and I try to play good tennis here.

Carlos Alcaraz said via Tennis Gazette

Sinner’s suspension is set to end on May 4 which will see him return to tennis. He is expected to feature at the Italian Open, which will be his first tournament after the three-month ban.