Coco Gauff forced to retire from Indian Wells Open with injury

American tennis star Coco Gauff was unable to finish her third-round match against Alexandra Eala due to a left forearm injury.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Coco Gauff was forced to retire during her third-round match against Alexandra Eala at the Indian Wells Open due to a left forearm injury. Gauff had taken an early lead, but began showing discomfort in her arm, allowing Eala to seize control of the match. Gauff eventually approached the net and informed Eala that she could not continue due to the persistent pain in her forearm.

Why it matters

Gauff's early exit is a concerning development, as she was one of the tournament favorites and had reached the semifinals at Indian Wells in 2024. The injury raises questions about her fitness and ability to compete at the highest level, especially with the upcoming Grand Slam events on the horizon.

The details

Gauff started the match strongly, taking an early 2-1 lead with a service break. However, she began showing discomfort in her left forearm and was unable to consolidate the break, allowing Eala to recover and eventually take control of the match. Gauff won just two more games before informing Eala that she could not continue due to the persistent pain in her arm.

  • The match took place on March 9, 2026.
  • Gauff was forced to retire after just 54 minutes of play.

The players

Coco Gauff

A 21-year-old American tennis player who was the top-seeded American and one of the tournament favorites at the Indian Wells Open.

Alexandra Eala

A 18-year-old Filipina tennis player who was the 31st seed at the Indian Wells Open and became the first Filipino player to reach the Round of 16 at the tournament.

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What they’re saying

“I really didn't want to win this way. But this is still a really big moment for me to be able to play on Stadium 1 at Indian Wells against such a great competitor. I do my best to be humble and keep my feet on the ground because I am surrounded by so many amazing players. Tennis is a really humbling sport because you really learn how to lose and learn to be self-aware.”

— Alexandra Eala (USA Today)

“First and foremost, I want to say Happy International Women's Day, everybody. I want to say thank you to all the incredible women who have paved the way and advocated for themselves and for other women. Among them is Coco… so thank you Coco for being an amazing competitor and an amazing role model. I really hope everything is well and you recover soon.”

— Alexandra Eala (USA Today)

What’s next

The extent of Coco Gauff's injury and the timeline for her recovery are still unclear. Her participation in upcoming Grand Slam events will depend on the severity of the injury and her ability to rehabilitate in time.

The takeaway

Coco Gauff's early exit from the Indian Wells Open due to a concerning left forearm injury is a setback for the young American star, who was one of the tournament favorites. The injury raises questions about her fitness and ability to compete at the highest level, and will be a key focus as she prepares for the upcoming Grand Slam events.