Coco Gauff is unable to continue playing against Alexandra Eala in Indian Wells. Afterwards, the world number four spoke of a “scary” feeling in her arm.
Two-time Grand Slam winner Coco Gauff withdrew from her third-round match at the WTA tournament in Indian Wells due to an injury to her left arm. The world number four was already trailing Alexandra Eala (Philippines) 2-6, 0-2 when she had to retire after 54 minutes.
Gauff later spoke of a “scary” feeling in her arm. It felt as if it were “burning.” Nevertheless, the 21-year-old was optimistic that she would be fit for the upcoming tournament in Miami.
Tennis: Gauff announced an MRI scan
“I first felt it in the second game of the first set,” Gauff reported, “it felt like fireworks were exploding in my arm, and then my whole arm felt like it was on fire.” The pain got worse as the match went on, “even on shots where I didn’t even use my left arm.” The American announced that she would undergo an MRI scan, with doctors suspecting a nerve-related problem. It was only the second retirement of her career. She last withdrew early in Cincinnati in 2022.
Eala, who reached the round of 16 in Indian Wells for the first time due to the withdrawal, showed sympathy: “No one wants to win this way — and no one wants to lose this way.”
