Coco Gauff, the highest-ranked American on the ATP and WTA 1000 circuit, is gearing up for her forthcoming Indian Wells campaign, shrugging off criticism over her recent series of losses. The 20-year-old tennis sensation, currently ranked World No 3, believes critics are making a mountain out of a molehill over her recent performance.
Gauff has weathered three consecutive straight-set defeats in the WTA Tour events. Her streak of losses started with Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, followed by Marta Kostyuk at the Qatar Open (6-2, 7-5), and McCartney Kessler at the Dubai Tennis Championships (6-4, 7-5). These losses have raised eyebrows, especially after Gauff’s former impressive form which included bagging the China Open and WTA Finals titles at the close of 2024, and steering the USA to the United Cup championship.
However, undeterred by minor setbacks, Gauff remains confident in her ability to bounce back. She expressed her conviction that there are ample “opportunities” on the horizon for her to reclaim her winning form. Addressing her critics, Gauff stated, “Everyone makes a bigger deal than what it is. I lost two matches – I’ll lose more matches back to back. It’s going to happen.”
Gauff, who reached the Indian Wells semi-finals last year, is all set to play her opening match on Saturday, after enjoying an opening-round bye. She may potentially face Grand Slam champion Emma Raducanu in the second round, provided Raducanu triumphs over Moyuka Uchijima.
While her performance on the court is under scrutiny, Gauff has also been in the limelight for her recent appearance at the Oscars. The tennis star made a splash on the red carpet and the renowned Vanity Fair after-party. Reflecting on the event, she expressed surprise at being recognized by many celebrities, including Samuel L. Jackson and Whoopi Goldberg, and also mentioned her pleasant encounter with Ben Stiller.
Gauff’s journey at the Indian Wells campaign is highly anticipated, not only because of her potential to be back in form but also due to her recent media attention. As she takes on the challenge, Gauff remains unfazed by her critics, keeping her eyes on the many opportunities for success that lie ahead.
