Coco Gauff Eyes a Turnaround at Indian Wells, Envisions Her Dream Tennis Tournament
After a slow start to the season, third seed Coco Gauff arrives at Indian Wells hungry for redemption, ready to shine in what she calls a “paradise of competition.” And, in many ways, that description fits perfectly. The California desert offers a stunning contrast—scorching sun by day, chilly nights, and the occasional unexpected rain shower that disrupts play. Few venues can match its magic. But if Gauff could design her own perfect tennis event, what would it look like?
Indian Wells Tennis Garden is widely regarded as one of the sport’s premier venues, boasting the world’s second-largest outdoor tennis stadium, a 16,100-seat Stadium 1, and the 8,000-seat Stadium 2. The 54-acre complex is more than just a tournament site—it’s a haven for players and fans alike, offering 29 hard courts, an elegant lounge, and state-of-the-art fitness and locker room facilities. At its heart is the BNP Paribas Open, the largest combined men’s and women’s professional tennis tournament in the world.
Yet, if Gauff had her way, her dream event would be even bigger and better. In a recent interview with Brody from Broadcast Boys, the 2023 US Open champion outlined her ultimate tournament—an electrifying blend of high-stakes competition and an unmistakable party atmosphere.
Her ideal location? Atlanta. Courts? A bold and striking purple and black. Courtside celebrity? Zendaya. The music? Childish Gambino setting the perfect vibe. And the prize? A staggering $10 million for the winner.
Of course, no event is complete without the right name, and Gauff’s tournament would be called “The Hot Girl Slam.” To keep the intensity high, the event would be a fast-paced, three-day showdown starting from the quarterfinals, with doubles in the mix. And to ensure the entertainment extends beyond the baseline, Tyler, the Creator would serve as the color commentator, bringing his signature humor to the spectacle.
Gauff wasn’t the only one to indulge in a bit of tennis fantasy. Current top seed Aryna Sabalenka also joined the fun, taking things to another level with an outlandish vision: an $8 billion prize pool for her dream tournament in the California desert—a number that would shake up the tennis world entirely.
Gauff Remains Confident Despite Recent Struggles
As Indian Wells sets the stage for another high-stakes battle, Gauff knows she has something to prove. After a red-hot finish to 2024, where she claimed titles at the China Open and WTA Finals, her 2025 season has been far less kind. She has suffered three consecutive straight-set losses, including a quarterfinal exit to Paula Badosa at the Australian Open, followed by defeats to Marta Kostyuk (Qatar Open) and McCartney Kessler (Dubai Open).
Yet, despite the setbacks, the 20-year-old remains unfazed. Speaking at her pre-match press conference, she dismissed concerns about her recent form:
“I don’t know, everybody 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. To me, for me, I guess it feels like a month but it’s just two tournaments, and at this calendar, I have so many other opportunities, and I can’t win every match. Hopefully, it doesn’t happen too many times in my career. You know the results will come. It’s, you know, just normal, I think.”
Gauff took an important step forward in her opening match at Indian Wells, defeating Emma Raducanu in straight sets. She now faces Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima in her next outing. Can she turn things around and capture the title under the California sun?
