Serena Williams’ childhood coach Rick Macci has told Carlos Alcaraz that “the conditions are the same for both players” after the world No. 3 didn’t appear to be too impressed with the change of the courts in the desert.
After using the Plexiclave courts for many years and often hearing that it was one of the slowest hard courts on the Tour, the BNP Paribas Open organizers switched to Laykold – which also provides surfaces for the Miami Open and the US Open.
Considering that Alcaraz made the Indian Wells semifinal in his debut in 2022 before winning back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024, it is safe to say that the conditions in the past suited greatly his game. So when he was asked about the court change in the desert, he said he “could not understand it.”
So ahead of the 21-year-old’s opener against Quentin Halys, coach Macci wanted to send him a message.
“The conditions at Indian Wells are the same for both players. It is what it is. This is tennis. If the balls are a bit harder and court a bit slower. As a player and coach you make it your best friend or that stays in your head till the end,” the 70-year-old coach wrote on X.
The conditions at Indian Wells are the same for both players. It is what it is. This is tennis. If the balls are a bit harder and court a bit slower. As a player and coach you make it your best Friend or that stays in your head till the End. @carlosalcaraz
— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) March 8, 2025
What Alcaraz exactly said about the Indian Wells court change?
“Honestly, it’s a change that I didn’t understand when I saw it, it was 25 years the tournament, it was the same court, and then right now has changed. I don’t know the reason why did it… I think I play great tennis anyway, even though the courts are a bit faster. But all I can say is I didn’t understand when I saw it,” the four-time Grand Slam champion said in his pre-tournament presser.
In the same presser, Alcaraz stated that he is someone who is capable of “adapting my game very well” to every condition.
