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5-Point Friday | A Weekly Tennis Roundup

March 7, 2025

Five Point Friday

Here’s your roundup of the five most interesting things I’m enjoying or thinking about this week in tennis.

1.) Indian Wells Surface Change

The 2025 Indian Wells tournament has officially kicked off with one key change: the surface. After 25 years, the tournament switched from Plexipave to Laykold, which the Miami and US Open use. Although many expected it to speed up play, players have been divided.

Aryna Sabalenka
I love them. They’re a little bit faster, which is good for me, right?

Elena Rybakina
Well, I feel that it’s not much faster, but I will say maybe the bounce a little bit lower.

Iga Swiatek
Honestly, I don’t feel much difference.

Carlos Alcaraz
The court is faster, right?

Daniil Medvedev
I will be honest with you, it’s okay. I like Indian Wells, I even like the courts now, but they seem to be almost slower than before, very slow.

Alexander Zverev
There is a new surface? …Feels the same to me, to be honest.

2.) Tsitsipas Switches Racquets

Stefanos Tsitsipas, who’s used the Wilson Blade 18×20 for years, arrived in Dubai with a blacked-out frame that would capture fans’ attention. During the tournament, a photo emerged of his racquet being strung at the event, hinting at what he’s now using. Regardless, the new frame seems to have inspired some confidence as he claimed his first ATP 500 title. Before the win, he had lost in the finals of 11 other 500-level tournaments.

All Signs Point to a Pure Aero 98

Tsitsipas confirmed new racket Babolat PA98
byu/jonjimithy intennis

3.) A Healthy Take On Doubles

Following changes to the US Open doubles format for 2025, American Reilly Opelka took several jabs at the category, sparking considerable debate. With an ear to the ground and plenty of perspective, Jon Wertheim provides context and a proposed solution for how doubles can evolve, which I found interesting and worth a quick read.

Read John’s Take On Doubles

4.) Machac’s Acupulco Title

Czech tennis player Tomas Machac defeated Alejandro Davidovich 7-6 (6), 6-2 to capture his first title in Acapulco. At 24, the win helped him break into the top 20 for the first time. He’s also the first Czech man to accomplish that feat since Tomas Berdych, who retired in 2019.

5.) Columbian 1st For Camila

Ranked No. 53, Camila Osorio became the first Columbian woman to best a former world No. 1. Playing in Indian Wells, she defeated Naomi Osaka 6-4, 6-4 to accomplish the feat. She’ll look to follow up on the win with a match against Clara Tauson of Denmark.

While you’re here, check out the TennisCompanion Vibration Dampener to enhance your racquet’s feel and sound. As a bonus, your purchase helps keep my website (and emails) running. Cheers!

Five Point Friday - TennisCompanion Vibration Dampener Package & Dampener

While you’re here, check out the TennisCompanion Vibration Dampener to enhance your racquet’s feel and sound. As a bonus, your purchase helps keep my website (and emails) running. Cheers!

Five Point Friday - TennisCompanion Vibration Dampener Package & Dampener

Here’s your roundup of the five most interesting things I’m enjoying or thinking about this week in tennis.

1.) Andreeva Makes History

Defeating Clara Tauson 7-6(1), 6-1 in Dubai, Mirra Andreeva became the youngest WTA 1000 winner at 17 years and 299 days old. With the title, she also breaks into the top 10 for the first time, debuting at No. 9. Can you guess who she thanked during the trophy ceremony?

2.) Rublev Depression Insight

Andrey Rublev, champion at last week’s Qatar Open, provided fans with some insight regarding the evolution of his struggles with depression and anxiety, which he’s made significant strides with in recent months. Having dealt with these challenges, Paula Badosa thanked Rublev for speaking up and sharing.

3.) Medvedev Wants A Refund

Earlier this year in Australia, Daniil Medvedev was fined a steep $60k after smashing a net camera, which can be used in some tournaments to replay a point to help officiate. So when he asked the umpire to check whether his opponent in Dubai had touched the net during a point, he was surprised to hear that the camera couldn’t determine if he had. Cheekily, Medvedev asked for a refund of the fine since it wasn’t of any help.

4.) Muchova Nails Tweener

Playing Clara Tauson at the Dubai Tennis Championships, Karolina Muchova gave fans something to cheer about at 2-2 in the third set. Tracking down a deep lob, she committed to a tweener, sending a lob perfectly over her opponent’s head.

5.) Felix Succeeds With VAR

Making use of Video Assisted Referee (VAR) in Dubai, Felix Auger Aliassime overturned a critical point at 6-6 in his first set tiebreak against Alexander Bublik. He won the review and the set, but Bublik’s reply after the overturned call is a gem.

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5-Point Friday

A brief recap of the five most interesting things I’m enjoying or thinking about in tennis.

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