A former American tennis great has tipped Coco Gauff to break her 2024 title drought at the Indian Wells Open, despite the young star’s rocky start to the season. The 20-year-old, set to face Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima in her opening match, has yet to claim a trophy this year after early exits at the Australian Open, Qatar Open, and Dubai Tennis Championships.
While skeptics question her recent form, this bold prediction could inject fresh confidence into Gauff as she vies for her first WTA crown of the year. But what’s fueling this optimism?
Why a fellow Coco sees triumph in the desert
The vote of confidence comes from none other than former doubles U.S. Open champion Coco Vandeweghe, who believes Coco Gauff’s game is tailor-made for Indian Wells. “This event really suits her,” Vandeweghe declared on Tennis Channel.
“She really enjoys playing here. Last year, she came in a bit shaky with everyone talking about her forehand, but now? Those tough losses in the Middle East will fuel her.”
Vandeweghe pointed to Gauff’s resilience in the face of criticism as a key factor.
“She plays so well with that little bit of grit when doubters come out,” she added. While cautious about placing a “stamp of approval” until seeing Gauff’s early matches, Vandeweghe doubled down: “I think she is ready to win this title.”
Coco Gauff’s Mindset
Gauff, meanwhile, remains unshaken by her recent stumbles.
“Everybody makes a bigger deal than what it is—I lost two matches,” she shrugged. “People are like, ‘Oh, she’s sinking.’ Okay, we’ve been through this before. I’ll pick it back up.” The World No. 3 acknowledged the sting of defeat but emphasized perspective: “It’s going to happen again. Hopefully not too many times, but it’s part of the journey.”
Her calm response reflects maturity beyond her years. After her historic 2023 U.S. Open win, expectations soared, but Coco Gauff understands peaks and valleys define a career. Now, she’s laser-focused on adapting to Indian Wells’ new court surface, which she believes favors her spin-heavy game.
“The ball bounces more here,” she noted. “In Dubai, conditions didn’t favor me—no excuses, just reality.”
A hidden advantage for Gauff?
The switch to fresh courts at Indian Wells could play into Gauff’s hands. The higher bounce complements her topspin forehand and aggressive baseline play, contrasting with the faster, lower-bouncing Dubai courts where she struggled. Vandeweghe’s faith hinges on this synergy: if Gauff harnesses the conditions, her powerful serves and court coverage could overwhelm opponents.
With defending champion Iga Świątek in the mix, the path won’t be easy. But Vandeweghe’s endorsement—and Coco Gauff’s steely resolve—hint at a turnaround. As the American prodigy steps onto the desert court, the spotlight isn’t just on her game—it’s on her ability to silence doubters, one swing at a time.