Novak Djokovic Pulls Out of Indian Wells; Can Coco Gauff Claim the Sunshine Double? | 4 Tennis Predictions for March 2025
Top tennis stars like Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek are set to clash in the U.S. this month at the Indian Wells and Miami Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 events. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner sits out, serving a three-month doping ban. These tournaments wrap up the hardcourt season before the clay shift, with Alcaraz and Swiatek defending Indian Wells titles and Danielle Collins and Sinner holding Miami crowns.
As these marquee events take center stage, here are four predictions for March:
#1. Djokovic Might Skip Indian Wells Masters
Djokovic, a five-time Indian Wells champ (last in 2016), is slated for the March 5 start but injuries cloud his participation. After a third-round upset by Luca Nardi last year—his first appearance since 2019—he retired in the Australian Open semis due to a leg issue. A Qatar Open first-round loss to Matteo Berrettini followed, with Djokovic later spotted limping at the airport. At his age, recovery lags; he may withdraw if not fully fit, prioritizing the season ahead.
#2. Gauff Could Sweep the “Sunshine Double”
Gauff kicked off 2025 unbeaten at the United Cup, toppling Swiatek en route to the title. A quarterfinal Australian Open exit to Paula Badosa stung, and a winless Middle East swing left her on a three-match skid entering Indian Wells. Yet, she’s rebounded from slumps before—after faltering last summer, she roared back with the China Open, a Wuhan semi, and the WTA Finals. If she taps that form, consecutive Indian Wells and Miami wins—the elusive “Sunshine Double,” achieved by only Graf, Clijsters, Azarenka, and Swiatek—could be hers.
#3. Collins Won’t Repeat in Miami
Collins nabbed her career-best title at last year’s Miami Open and shone for months, but her form cratered post-Olympics quarterfinals. She ended 2024 winless and started 2025 with an Adelaide loss to Ons Jabeur. Though she broke the streak at the Australian Open, falling to champ Madison Keys in the third round, her two wins there came against sub-top-100 foes. Her current level suggests defending Miami is a long shot—winning a few matches would be a feat.
#4. Raducanu May Lock In a Permanent Coach
After splitting with Nick Cavaday over his health issues—her sixth coach since the 2021 US Open win—Raducanu tapped Roman Kelecic temporarily for the Middle East and added Jane O’Donoghue. Now, she’s brought on Tom Welsh, ex-coach of Leylah Fernandez, as an interim guide for Indian Wells. With clay—her weakest surface—looming, she’ll likely secure a full-time coach by month’s end. Her past quick hires signal urgency to stabilize her team.
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