'I'm sure what I'm saying' - Daniil Medvedev shocks with 'slower' Indian Wells 2025 assessment, questions court changes

Tennis star Daniil Medvedev has expressed his frustration with the court conditions at Indian Wells 2025, stating that new Laykold surfaces seem extremely slower than before. This statement comes despite the tournament's effort to align its courts with those used at the US Open and Miami Open, both of which the Russian has excelled in.

The switch from Plexipave to Laykold was intended to provide a faster and more consistent playing experience, similar to other major hard-court events. However, Medvedev's observations showcase that the unique environmental conditions at the Indian Wells 2025, such as desert climate and altitude, continue to impact the court's speed and bounce in the game.

This marks a recurring theme, as the 29-year-old tennis star has previously criticized the slow nature of Indian Wells, famously calling them a disgrace back in 2023. Medvedev's recent comments showcase the ongoing challenge players face in adapting to these transitions, which can significantly affect the game plan and strategy.

Daniil Medvedev's 'slower' revelation at the Indian Wells 2025

Daniil Medvedev's comments are particularly noteworthy considering his recent performances and his history at the Indian Wells. Despite making it to the finals of both in 2023 and 2024, the star player has struggled with the slow pace of courts, which often favor players who excel in slower conditions.

Medvedev says the Indian Wells courts seem even slower than before:

“You had one of the more famous comments about these courts, and now they have redone them and sped them up. Have you hit on them yet or maybe not
yet? How are you finding them?”

Daniil: “I did, and I will be… pic.twitter.com/4WnwE0YDEw

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 5, 2025

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“I did, and I will be honest with you, it's okay, I like Indian Wells, I even like the courts now, but they seem to be almost slower than before, very slow. I don't know what other players think, but as I said, I just had two days, jet lagged. So you're not very, how you say, when you don't see the things maybe in the right way. So I won't be able to tell you that I'm sure what I'm saying. But, yeah, I played two days, and they seemed very, very slow, so let's see how it plays during the tournament. And I didn't see the difference," Daniil Medvedev said in the pre-match conference.

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