Daniil Medvedev was in lighthearted spirit following his opening win at the Indian Wells Masters but remained adamant that the hard courts in the desert were “the slowest.”
After the Indian Wells organizers decided to stop using Plexiclave and switch to the Laykold – the same type of courts used at the Miami Open and the US Open – the Russian was one of the first players to be asked if the surface was now faster. But the reporters didn’t get an expected answer as the former world No. 1 claimed the courts felt even slower than before.
On Friday, Medvedev played on the new courts for the first time and dismantled Bu Yunchaokete 6-2 6-2 in an hour and 36 minutes of play.
Following the win, the No. 5 seed wrote on the camera: “Very fast 😀 (:D translates to a laughing emoji).”
Daniil Medvedev signs the camera after beating Bu at Indian Wells:
“6-2, 6-2.
1 hour 36 minutes.
Very fast court :D” 😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/HzcczSF4Sp— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 8, 2025
Medvedev: The Indian Wells court is probably the slowest I’ve ever played in my life
In his on-court interview, the Russian tennis star was asked whether his message was the confirmation that the courts in the desert became quicker.
“It’s probably the slowest court I’ve ever played in my life. Everyone has a different perspective. Some will find it fast. Some will find it slow. If you ask Sascha or Casper, they’re not gonna say it’s fast,” the 29-year-old explained.
“I find it super slow. Probably the slowest I’ve ever played on in my life. It’s always been the case at Indian Wells and I managed to plan good here. I’m looking forward.”
Meanwhile, Medvedev will battle against rising American star Alex Michelsen for a place in the round-of-16 in the desert. It will be the first meeting between the two.
Tennis World USA