Tennis at the BNP Paribas Open is always fifth-slam level, and we here at Racquet can confirm that 2025 is no different—in spite of the new court surface, described by some as too fast and some as too slow, making us wonder whether they’re actually bemoaning the change of balls and the way they fly through the desert air.
The first few days here at the tournament were for the die-hards. The ones who watch streaming matches all year, who know the players at every level—way below the top 100—and want to watch them try to play their way into the main draw of the BNP Paribas Open. These are people who know the practice schedule as well as the match play, who may spend more time watching the 160th in the world hone their serve than a top player who’s coming back from an injury as they play their way back to form.