Day 2 at Indian Wells brought a thrilling combination of great tennis, enthusiastic crowds, and behind-the-scenes moments that made the experience truly special. With less wind and more action, the day was packed from start to finish. From the final round of qualifying matches to the highly anticipated Tie Break Tens exhibition, there was no shortage of excitement on the grounds. As a member of the media at this tournament, I also had commitments to fulfill that required some juggling through out the day.
Tie Break Tens Brings the Energy ⚡
One of the biggest highlights of the evening was Tie Break Tens, a fast-paced exhibition format that has become a fan favorite. The unique format keeps matches short and intense, making it a high-energy spectacle that guarantees entertainment. The stadium was buzzing with excitement as last year's champions, Ben Shelton and Emma Navarro, returned to defend their titles. Joining them on the court were crowd favorites Madison Keys and Tommy Paul, bringing even more star power to the event. However, by the end of the night, it was Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz who emerged victorious, showcasing their skills and composure in the high-pressure setting. The electric atmosphere and engaged crowd made it the perfect way to close out the day's events.
Inside Media Day 🎤
Media Day is always an interesting part of any tournament, giving reporters and fans a glimpse into the players’ personalities beyond their performances on the court. While these pre-tournament press sessions can sometimes feel routine and focused on the tennis, my approach to it was from a “casual” side. In an attempt to get to know these players better . Some of today’s most memorable interactions included:
☕ Madison Keys on her love for coffee – If you’ve followed Ground Pass for a while, you know this is a topic we’re passionate about. Hearing Madison talk about her coffee habits was both relatable and entertaining.
💇🏾♀️ Coco Gauff on hair care and her partnership with Carol’s Daughter – As a Black girl in sports, hair has always been an important part of my routine, and it was great to hear Coco discuss her process and experiences.
🔥 Tommy Paul addressing the "Hottie Slam" buzz – Yes, we went there. Tommy’s reaction to the viral conversation was both hilarious and endearing.
🎬 Aryna Sabalenka on the Oscars and her off-court life – Aryna gave some fun insights into her style and interest in fashion and what she enjoys doing when she’s not competing.
Balancing press conferences with catching the final qualifying matches made for a hectic but exhilarating day. That’s the beauty of being on-site—there’s never a dull moment.
Final Qualifiers Punch Their Tickets 🎾
The last round of qualifying saw several players securing their spots in the main draw, with standout performances from:
✅ Ethan Quinn – A strong showing to earn his place.
✅ Hailey Baptiste – One of the most inspiring stories of the qualifying rounds.
Seeing these players fight for their spots adds another layer of excitement, as they now have the opportunity to compete against some of the biggest names in the sport.
Fun moment of the day 🎾
Watching Naomi Osaka and her team practice. They seem to have the best time.
More Exclusive Content Coming Soon!
For those who want even more in-depth coverage, I’ll be sharing full audio from the press conferences exclusively for paid subscribers on Substack. If you’re interested in hearing unfiltered responses directly from the players, make sure to subscribe.
One of the biggest highlights of today was meeting some of my online tennis friends in real life. That’s one of the best things about being on-site—getting to connect with fellow fans who share the same passion for the sport.
This is just the beginning here at Indian Wells! Stay tuned for more updates, exclusive content, and behind-the-scenes moments as the tournament continues.
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