World No. 3 Coco Gauff secured a gritty victory over Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima at the Indian Wells Open, but the American tennis prodigy walked off the court with more frustration than celebration. The hard-fought 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(4) win ended a string of early exits for Gauff, who stumbled at the Australian Open, Qatar Open, and Dubai Tennis Championships earlier this year.
Despite snapping her losing streak, the 20-year-old’s post-match demeanor hinted at dissatisfaction—a rare response from a player known for her relentless drive. What went wrong in her eyes?
Gauff’s candid post-match admission
Hours after her three-set battle, Coco Gauff took to X (formerly Twitter) to air her thoughts, writing:
“Not my best performance but a win is a win also happy International Women’s Day to all my boss ladies out there.”
The tweet, laced with humility and a nod to empowerment, underscored her mixed feelings. While fans expected a straightforward victory against the 82nd-ranked Uchijima, the match proved anything but routine.
Uchijima, a qualifier with little fanfare, stunned Gauff in the second set with aggressive baseline play, clinching it 6-3. The final set escalated into a tiebreaker, where Gauff’s composure narrowly saved her from an upset.
“She pushed me to the limit,” Gauff admitted later. “I’ve got a lot to clean up.”
Why Coco Gauff’s win felt like a loss
Gauff’s frustration stems from uncharacteristic inconsistencies. Known for her explosive speed and clutch serving, she struggled with double faults (7) and a shaky first-serve percentage (58%). Uchijima capitalized, peppering the court with angled winners and forcing Gauff into 34 unforced errors. “I felt off rhythm,” Gauff confessed. “Too many mental lapses.”
The match’s tension peaked in the third-set tiebreaker. Coco Gauff squandered two match points before finally sealing the win, a scenario far removed from the dominant performances that defined her 2023 US Open triumph. Critics argue the pressure to rebound from her rocky 2024 start weighed heavily, while others credit Uchijima’s fearless underdog energy.
What’s Next for Gauff?
Despite her self-criticism, Gauff’s resilience shone through. She saved 10 of 14 break points, showcasing her ability to clutch pivotal moments—a skill that separates contenders from champions. The victory also sets up a tantalizing third-round clash, where she’ll face either Elise Mertens or Petra Martić.
For now, Coco Gauff’s focus is on recalibration. “A win’s a win, but I know my level,” she stated. With Indian Wells’ slower courts favoring her spin-heavy game, the young star has time to refine her form. After all, perfectionism fuels greatness—and Gauff’s hunger for improvement remains as sharp as her forehand.