Coco Gauff, the rising star of American tennis, has her sights set on reclaiming her winning streak at Indian Wells, following a series of unexpected losses. The tournament, renowned for its high-stakes matches, could provide Gauff with the perfect platform to bounce back from her recent setbacks.
The year 2025 started on a high note for Gauff with an impressive series of nine straight victories. Yet, as unpredictable as the sport can be, she suffered three successive losses, including shocking first-round exits at the prestigious WTA 1000 events in Doha and Dubai.
Now, as the third seed at Indian Wells, Gauff is looking to turn the tide. She gets a first-round bye and is then anticipated to square off against Emma Raducanu. Gauff is no stranger to Raducanu, having bested her in their only encounter at the 2023 Australian Open.
If she can replicate her previous success against Raducanu, Gauff could then face the formidable challenge of Maria Sakkari, two-time Indian Wells finalist, and 13th seed Diana Shnaider, in the subsequent rounds. A potential quarterfinal clash with 2023 US Open winner and reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys could be a thrilling contest for the audience.
Advancing further, Gauff’s path to the title might include a semifinal showdown against Aryna Sabalenka and possibly a final against the current champion, Iga Swiatek. A deep run in the desert tournament would undoubtedly restore Gauff’s winning momentum.
Having suffered a loss to Paula Badosa in the Australian Open quarterfinal, followed by defeats against Marta Kostyuk in Doha and McCartney Kessler in Dubai, Gauff has been reflecting and reworking strategies with her new coach, Matt Daly.
While speaking in Dubai, Gauff shared insights into her journey, stating, “Being a pro on tour, I had to learn to accept, trust the process, trust that when you’re in the middle of working on things, you’re not going to win all the time.” She acknowledged the challenges of adapting to new techniques and strategies, but remained optimistic, expressing belief that these experiences would eventually translate into victories.
As the world number one sets her eyes on Indian Wells, she remains focused on the long game, trusting the process, and believing in the potential of her new game strategies to bring her back to the winner’s circle.
