However, there have already been some big withdrawals from Indian Wells including a two-time Grand Slam champion.

This is not the only Indian Wells withdrawal, with a young American talent making his way into the draw directly as a result.

There have also been wildcards announced, but Venus Williams will not play Indian Wells after declining her offer due to other commitments.

Indian Wells is sometimes labelled ‘the fifth major’ and has now made a significant change that could change the landscape of the tournament.

Indian Wells announce that they will change courts after 25 years

Indian Wells has announced that it will change the surface of its courts for the first time in 25 years.

Having previously used Plexipave, Indian Wells will follow both the US Open and Miami Open by implementing Laykold.

In a press release announcing this change, the Indian Wells tournament explained the reasoning behind this decision.

“Laykold is trusted and chosen as the Official Surface Provider of the BNP Paribas Open to supply its Grand Slam quality court surface to the prestigious venue at Indian Wells Tennis Garden,” the statement read.

“Laykold will bring a new dynamic to the event, ensuring that the ATP and WTA players have the optimal playing environment to be the best they can be. Laykold’s courts deliver 10x greater consistency than the accepted industry standard.

“By fine-tuning court speed to within 0.5 points, Laykold’s scientists and expert installers will bring the most consistent courts in tennis history to California’s ‘fifth major’.  This will ensure an exciting, high-level, action-packed BNP Paribas Open in 2025.”

Why did Daniil Medvedev criticise the Indian Wells courts?

Laykold is set to speed up the courts at Indian Wells this year, something that is likely to come as music to the ears of Daniil Medvedev.

Despite reaching the final of the Masters 1000 event for the past two years, Medvedev has been critical of Indian Wells and suggested that the courts are far too slow.

“It’s a disgrace to sport, this court,” Medvedev said in his fourth round match against Alexander Zverev. “We should be banned from playing here, a freaking disgrace to sport, this freaking court. And they call it hard courts. What a shame to call this awful court a hard court.

“I’ll go to toilet, but I don’t care, give me time violation. I’m going to be as slow as the court again. I don’t care; give me five time violations, I’ll go in one minute. If they allow us to play on such a court, I can allow myself to do whatever I want.”

Although the courts are likely to be quicker than previous years with Laykold, the dry conditions at Indian Wells are suggested to still make them slower than at the US Open and in Miami.

The main draw of Indian Wells gets underway this year on Wednesday March 5.