The playing surface at Indian Wells has been a major talking point since the lead-up to this year’s tournament.
Organizers of the first Masters 1000 event of the season made a controversial decision to speed up the courts for the first time in 25 years, aiming to enhance the spectacle for fans.
However, the intended outcome has not materialized, and several players have voiced their frustrations over the court conditions.
Serbian great Novak Djokovic was particularly critical after his early exit in the second round, struggling to handle the unpredictable ball bounce.
His difficulties were reflected in the 37 unforced errors he committed against Botic van de Zandschulp on Saturday.
Daniil Medvedev, a two-time finalist in California, also expressed his dissatisfaction, arguing that rather than becoming faster, the courts now feel even slower than before, making it incredibly difficult to hit outright winners.
Amid the widespread complaints, one player who appears to be thriving under the conditions is Ben Shelton.
The young American delivered an impressive performance in his opening match and seems poised to capitalize on the opportunity to make a deep run in this prestigious event.
“They’re bouncy,” he said on court after his first match at Indian Wells. “I think my serve bounces up.
Ben Shelton remains unfazed by the changing conditions at Indian Wells, embracing the challenge of adapting to different playing environments. Acknowledging that conditions vary from week to week, he emphasized the importance of flexibility, noting that the greatest players excel at adjusting to whatever comes their way.
Having arrived early to prepare, Shelton dedicated the past week to fine-tuning his game and was pleased to see his efforts yield positive results in his latest match.
The rising American star now faces a formidable test in the third round against Karen Khachanov—a matchup that will serve as a true measure of whether Shelton is ready to make a serious breakthrough on the ATP Tour.
Tennis star willing to ‘go to war’ for her country and be a soldier on front line
Elina Svitolina has been a steadfast advocate for Ukraine, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds since the war began nearly three years ago. The world No. 23 has used her platform to generate awareness and support for her country’s struggle, demonstrating her deep commitment both on and off the court.
During a visit home in the off-season, the two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist took her dedication a step further by learning how to operate a rocket launcher. Now, the 30-year-old has made it clear that she would not hesitate to fight for Ukraine if called upon.
Since 2022, Svitolina has remained active in fundraising efforts and continues to highlight Ukraine’s resilience amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. As an ambassador for United24—a fundraising initiative launched by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy—she has played a key role in rallying international support.
A former world No. 3, Svitolina has often attributed her on-court tenacity to her Ukrainian roots, and she now affirms that she would be prepared to channel that same fighting spirit beyond tennis, should her country need her.
In a recent interview with Bild, the 30-year-old was asked directly if she would go to war. “I would go, for sure,” she replied.
“I know I’m not in that situation now because I have my family. I’m also probably more useful collecting money than I was on the front line.
“I’ve raised more than 1.5 million euros for my country in the last three years. I think that’s more useful than giving me a gun.
“But many soldiers had no training at the start of the war, they just took their guns and tried to defend their home and their city.”
Elina Svitolina has already taken tangible steps to support Ukraine’s military efforts, donning a uniform and learning to handle a weapon. The world No. 23 has been actively fundraising for the Charter combat brigade, helping them acquire essential equipment such as drones. During the off-season, she had the opportunity to visit their base in Kharkiv, further strengthening her connection to those on the front lines.
In 2023, after winning the title in Strasbourg, Svitolina immediately donated her prize money to Charter, which was used to purchase weapons for the brigade.
Her commitment was further highlighted in December when she visited their training ground and was photographed learning how to operate a rocket launcher. The former WTA Finals champion remains steadfast in her support, stating that she is always willing to stand by those defending her country.
She added: “When I go to the training ground, I always have the will to do that. My spirit is a fighting spirit. I think you can see that on the court.
“Yes, it’s very different from being on the front line. But at the same time, I feel like I’m there. Something opens up inside me that you don’t know. A lot of soldiers have that. I talk to a lot of them.
“When they go to the front line, they start fighting for the country. When they’re wounded, they recover and then keep fighting.
“When you have a mission, when you have a goal for your country, you don’t see anything that will destroy you. Nothing that could happen to you. You just go there. I think that’s a soldier’s mentality.”
Elina Svitolina is currently competing at Indian Wells, where she has advanced to the last 16. Following her victory on Sunday, she expressed gratitude to her “friends in the USA” for their “kindness and solidarity” during a difficult time.
