Returning to "Tennis Paradise" at Indian Wells
A mere $10 gives you entrance to professional tennis' crown jewel
Returning to Indian Wells for a second time reminded me why it stands as the crown jewel of tennis tournaments — world-class competition set against breathtaking desert scenery that simply outshines any other tennis experience I've encountered.
Some other pieces I’ve written on tennis:
Field Notes: first day of qualifying at the Indian Wells tennis tournament
Date: Sunday, March 2, 2025
Location: Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells, California
Purpose: Watch good tennis (second time visiting, previously attended in Spring 2023)
Observations & Highlights
Unlike last time, I didn't attend any qualifying matches but focused instead on practice sessions, which turned out to be an incredible experience. Watching elite players up close gave me a newfound appreciation for their technical skills and physical intensity. Some observations from the day:
Grigor Dimitrov: Spent most of his practice session focusing on his backhand slice. The amount of spin and fluidity he generates is remarkable.
Lorenzo Sonego vs. Lorenzo Musetti: These two top Italian players showcased impressive power in their hitting session. Walking past them later, I realized they aren't much taller than me, which makes their power and physicality even more impressive.
Alexander Bublik vs. Tomás Martín Etcheverry: A stark contrast in practice styles — Etcheverry is a big, physical player, while Bublik is extremely talented but appears to be not as serious during practice.
João Fonseca: The 18-year-old rising star lived up to the hype, showcasing his rapid ascent in the rankings. He reminds me of a more powerful Andrey Rublev on the forehand side (which is insane), and his backhand is similarly powerful.
Kei Nishikori vs. David Goffin: Two of the cleanest ball strikers in tennis. Nishikori’s practice session stood out—his precision and elegant footwork were mesmerizing.
Nishesh Basavareddy vs. Flavio Cobolli: Another exciting practice match. It did take me a few minutes to identify Cobolli during the practice, because I didn't know that Cobolli moved so well in real life — his movement on television doesn't do him justice.
Andrey Rublev: Watching him crush forehand groundstrokes up close was breathtaking.
Jasmine Paolini vs. Ons Jabeur: A great session between two highly skilled WTA players.
Nikoloz Basilashvili: I remember seeing some statistic that Basilashvili has the fastest average backhand speed. I totally believe it — he was absolutely annihilating the ball in some hand-feeding drills.
Players "in the wild": Spotted many top players casually walking through the grounds, including Karen Khachanov and Hubert Hurkacz. Since they don't allow attendees to bring in any backpacks, if you see someone walking around with a giant tennis bag at the complex, there's a good chance it's a famous tennis player (it also helps when they're six and a half feet tall)!
Reflections & Insights
Tennis is a brutally physical sport. Sitting at court level, I could hear the cracking sounds of the ball being struck. But the most shocking sound was the screaming of tennis shoes on the hardcourt, reminiscent of racecars skidding on a racetrack. This sport demands extreme endurance and power.
The benefits of attending early tournament days. Compared to my previous visit, where crowds were overwhelming and food lines lasted over two hours, this experience was much more relaxed. Despite being a Sunday, the smaller crowds made it far more enjoyable.
Live court-level tennis is tremendously underrated. TV coverage doesn’t capture the speed, intensity, and athleticism that you witness in person. Seeing the game from just a few feet away changes your entire perspective. Many people pay high prices for stadium seats, but unless you’re near the court, it’s actually better to watch from home. With a $10 grounds pass (which included parking!), I got an unparalleled experience watching world-class athletes train and compete up close.
