After a challenging phase, the American tennis sensation, Coco Gauff, is gearing up for the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, California. Despite a challenging start to the 2025 season, the 2023 US Open champion is not one to lose heart. Gauff, who steered Team USA to victory for the second time at the United Cup in January, is determined to bounce back after a string of recent losses.
Gauff’s performance has seen a dip of late, following her quarterfinal exit at the Australian Open and being eliminated in the first round at the Qatar Open. Her struggles continued into the Dubai tournament last month, where she was ousted in the first round by McCartney Kessler. The defeat marked another low point for the 2025 WTA Finals winner.
However, Gauff, known for her resilience, isn’t letting the recent setbacks deter her. She has maintained a close relationship with the sport even during her short hiatus from the court, while also fulfilling her endorsement commitments. The 20-year-old tennis star recently made an appearance in a promotional video for Tropicana’s new smoothie line, Naked Smoothie, proving that she can balance her off-court commitments with her tennis career.
Coco Gauff has set her sights on the BNP Paribas Open, often referred to as the ‘fifth slam’ due to its immense popularity. The tournament, along with the Miami Open, is part of the coveted Sunshine Double in March. Gauff, however, has a challenging history with Indian Wells. She failed to reach the final in the past three editions, with her best performance being a semifinal run last season, where she eventually lost to Maria Sakkari.
Despite the odds, Gauff remains optimistic about her performance in the upcoming tournament. She was quoted saying, “I think I just focus on trying to win, and the ranking comes with it. The goal would be to be No. 1, and that would be awesome. But it’s not something that I’m checking every week to see how far I am from it.”
Gauff’s ambitions are not unfounded. Serena Williams’ childhood coach, Rick Macci, believes that Gauff has the potential to reach the top spot in the WTA singles rankings. He stated that with an improved second serve and a strong forehand, Gauff could dominate the tennis scene.
As the anticipation for the BNP Paribas Open builds, the identity of Gauff’s first-round opponent remains unknown. However, the World No.3 is expected to come out swinging, eager to regain her top form and make a strong statement.
With her eyes on the prize, and several prominent figures backing her potential, Coco Gauff’s journey to the Indian Wells will undoubtedly be a story to follow. Will she turn the tide and restore her winning streak at the BNP Paribas Open? Only time will tell.
