Coco Gauff has recently showcased her resilience on the tennis court, making headlines after her hard-fought victories at the Indian Wells Open, particularly against Moyuka Uchijima and Maria Sakkari. After struggling with a string of losses starting from the Australian Open, Gauff ended her losing streak with her match against Uchijima on March 8, 2025.
Gauff managed to clinch the win after dropping the second set, eventually winning 7-6(4) with great tenacity. Despite this victory, she expressed some dissatisfaction with her performance due to her high number of double faults. "If I just double-faulted less, it could have probably been a straight-set match,” she noted during her post-match reflections, highlighting her focus on refining her serving technique as she aims to minimize her errors.
Her commitment to self-improvement was evident throughout the week, as her training sessions intensified. The young American, who has rapidly established herself as one of tennis' rising stars, acknowledged the need to improve her serving consistency and reduce her unforced errors. She explained, “Off the ground, I felt like I was dictacting more of the rallies.” She identified her serving as a focal point for improvement, stating, “I’ve been trying to fix things on my serve.” Beyond her technical flaws, Gauff’s determination and proactive mindset set her apart.
Fast forward to March 10, 2025, and Gauff faced off against her rival and two-time Indian Wells finalist, Maria Sakkari. Their history was marked with intensity; Sakkari had previously bested Gauff in both the semifinal at Indian Wells 2024 and various encounters, earning victories five times out of their eight meetings. Yet, the 2025 match saw Gauff rebounding confidently, as she secured her advance to the Round of 16 with a decisive 7-6(1), 6-2 victory.
Gauff, who was seeded third, demonstrated resilience throughout the match, even though she exhibited nine double faults—much fewer than her previous outing. Remarkably, six of those double faults came during the climax of the match, but her pivotal first-set tiebreaker saw her landing all first serves and having no errors during those eight points, winning 7-1. Reflecting on her performance against Sakkari, Gauff said, “Resilience I guess. Overall it was muchbetter than the previous match.”
The anticipation surrounding Gauff built as she prepared to face tougher opponents, illustrating her determination and ability to learn from her mistakes. Each match provided her with greater insight, as she works diligently on her serving technique. She is now poised to face the winner of the match between Belinda Bencic and Diana Shnaider, with hopes of advancing even farther.
Meanwhile, Maria Sakkari, the Greek tennis powerhouse, has navigated her share of challenges, battling personal and professional setbacks, including injuries and disappointments following her initial selections as her country's flag bearer for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Despite these struggles, the two-time Indian Wells finalist has amassed significant experience and the motivation to reclaim her earlier form. Sakkari noted, “There’s something special when I come here [Indian Wells] ... it makes me feel very happy.”
Despite misfortunes, she has routinely showcased her skills at Indian Wells, having reached the finals twice yet still striving for the elusive title. This tournament has become seemingly therapeutic for Sakkari, instilling new vigor as she continues to adapt her game alongside new coaching strategies and techniques.
Gauff's pursuit for excellence on the court is palpable—showcasing the grit and determination reminiscent of seasoned veterans, even as she faces the occasional fluctuation of her performance. Her enthusiastic work ethic and readiness to learn from challenges create confidence for her, inviting the tennis community to witness her evolution closely.
The coming weeks hold significant promise for Gauff as she aims to translate her training emphasis on serving improvements and her newfound confidence from previous wins. The road is not without challenges, but with her dedication and passion, she will continue to emerge as one of tennis' most compelling figures.