The Indian Wells Open is sizzling with excitement this year, as top players like Madison Keys, Emma Navarro, and Ben Shelton battle it out for the title. But off the court, they’re facing a different kind of challenge. Fans are in for a treat as their favorite players tackle amusing and intriguing questions, a tradition that has brought laughter and anticipation to tennis events. For years, interviews like “The Players Ask Novak ALL The Questions” featuring tennis players asking each other humorous and lighthearted questions, have been shared on social media platforms for laughs and to build anticipation for upcoming events. And this time, they’re being treated to a brain teaser!

On Monday, the BNP Paribas Instagram decided to toy with the pros competing in California with a question that has left even the most seasoned players perplexed: how many holes does a straw have? Madison Keys was the first to express her bewilderment, admitting, “This is going to send me into an existential crisis. A straw has…one hole? I don’t know, I don’t like that question. But my mind is melting.” While Keys may seem calm on the court, even noting that it was the key to her winning the 2025 Australian Open, this teaser left her completely off game!

Echoing Keys, the World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka also found herself torn, stating, “I think it’s one. What is the right answer? It’s like, I don’t know, it’s two but one.” Her uncertainty was palpable, reflecting the complexity of the question. However, on the flip side, the “two holes” camp was well-represented by Emma Navarro, who confidently declared, “A straw has two holes, and if you think it has one, you’re overthinking things. And you probably think that a hot dog is a sandwich.” Her cheeky remark added a touch of humor to the discussion, which soon found a well-deserved tiebreak answer.

A very pragmatic Ben Shelton promptly asserted, “No, it has no holes. There are no holes in this straw. If there’s a hole, then it leaks. This is just a cylinder. No holes.” Looks like Shelton isn’t just surprising fans with his stunning banana shots on the court (think a curling forehand during his match against Mariano Navone in the second round); the young gun proved that he’s one to think outside the box! The end poll stated that six players said “one hole,” while six players said it has two.

For those curious about the mystery of the straw, the answer lies in the realm of topology. According to these principles, a straw is not just a simple tube; it’s a topological marvel. Imagine a circle, which has one hole, multiplied by an interval, which has none. The result? A straw that, mathematically speaking, has only one hole.

While the banter might keep the players occupied, rest assured, they know exactly what to do on the court! While they were teased with an intriguing question, it seems like mind-bogglers are the theme of this year’s Sunshine Double, where Sabalenka was asked another question that left her fumbling!

Sabalenka left conflicted after being asked to match top WTA players with key shots

In a post-match press conference, following her win against McCartney Kessler in the first round, Aryna Sabalenka was asked to name the best players in four key shots: forehand, backhand, serve, and return of serve. She playfully suggested herself as the best server on a good day, saying, “Serve, I mean, on a good day, I’d say me.” Initially, she mentioned ATP’s Jannik Sinner for the best forehand, but quickly shifted focus to WTA players, noting Elena Rybakina’s powerful serve.

When it came to the forehand, Sabalenka joked about being too enamored with her own game, saying, “I just so much in love with myself on the good days. I cannot think about any players (laughter). Can you believe me?” However, she eventually named Madison Keys as a standout, acknowledging her powerful forehand that helped Keys win their Australian Open match.

The backhand proved to be a tougher question, with Sabalenka playfully pleading for help, saying, “Guys, you’re just killing me right now.” She eventually praised Coco Gauff‘s skills, noting, “Coco is good.” When asked about the return of serve, the World No.1 humorously dodged the question, saying, “Just skip this question. I’m so bad.”

While the players get ready for the competition to get tougher, seems like they’re being put to the test off the court as much as they are on the court!