Coco Gauff backs WTA Finals move to Indian Wells: “I’m really happy it’s in the US”

Thursday, 02 July 2026 at 21:00

Coco Gauff speaking at the WTA Finals press conference

Coco Gauff has voiced her support for the relocation of the 2026 WTA Finals from Riyadh to Indian Wells, describing the move as a positive step for the tour while acknowledging the tournament’s recent expansion into new markets. The World No. 7 made the comments after a demanding second-round victory at Wimbledon 2026.

The American was forced to dig deep to overcome Solana Sierra in a three-set battle that went to a super tiebreak, recovering from a late deficit to secure her place in the third round. The result extended a pattern seen throughout her season, with several tight matches decided by small margins at Grand Slam level.

Beyond the immediate result, the WTA Finals relocation emerged as one of the key talking points in her press conference. Gauff, a regular figure at the season-ending event and former champion, was well positioned to assess the significance of the shift in venue and its impact on the tour calendar.

Her perspective is shaped by consistent participation at the tournament, having qualified for the WTA Finals in each of the last four years. She also won the title in 2024, reinforcing her status as one of the most established competitors in the year-end field.

WTA Finals relocation and Gauff’s established record at the event

Gauff’s endorsement of the move to Indian Wells carries additional weight due to her sustained success at the WTA Finals. She has qualified for the season-ending championship four consecutive times, confirming her consistency at the highest level across multiple seasons.

Her record in the event includes a title in 2024, when she defeated Zheng Qinwen in the final to secure one of the most significant achievements of her career. She has also competed in doubles at the Finals alongside Jessica Pegula in 2022 and 2023, although both campaigns ended in round-robin exits.

Coco Gauff kisses the WTA Finals trophy at the end of the 2024 season

The relocation from Riyadh to Indian Wells was welcomed by Gauff, who framed it as both a return to a familiar environment and a broader opportunity for the sport in the United States. However, she also highlighted the importance of long-term stability for the event’s identity.

“I’m really biased, so I’m really happy that it’s in the US as an American player," the 2-time Grand Slam champion said. "It was really cool just to bring our sport to a different demographic who hasn’t experienced it before. I would like to see a more permanent home for it.”

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The American also noted her current position in the WTA Race standings, where she remains in contention for qualification as the season progresses. With the qualification system based on points accumulated over the calendar year, the race for the eight available spots remains open.

At present, players such as Mirra Andreeva and Elena Rybakina are effectively on the verge of mathematical qualification, with their Grand Slam titles placing them in a near-secure position. Aryna Sabalenka also holds a substantial points buffer that makes her qualification highly probable rather than confirmed. Grand Slam winners still benefit from a reserved pathway into the Finals if they finish within the top 20.

WTA Finals Champions – (2015- )

Year	Champion	Runner-up	Final Score	Venue
2015	Agnieszka Radwańska	Petra Kvitová	6–2, 4–6, 6–3	Singapore
2016	Dominika Cibulková	Angelique Kerber	6–3, 6–4	Singapore
2017	Caroline Wozniacki	Venus Williams	6–4, 6–4	Singapore
2018	Elina Svitolina	Sloane Stephens	3–6, 6–2, 6–2	Singapore
2019	Ashleigh Barty	Elina Svitolina	6–4, 6–3	Shenzhen
2020	—	—	No event (COVID-19)	—
2021	Garbiñe Muguruza	Anett Kontaveit	6–3, 7–5	Guadalajara
2022	Caroline Garcia	Aryna Sabalenka	7–6(7–4), 6–4	Fort Worth
2023	Iga Świątek	Jessica Pegula	6–1, 6–0	Cancún
2024	Coco Gauff	Zheng Qinwen	3–6, 6–4, 7–6(7–2)	Riyadh
2025	Elena Rybakina	Aryna Sabalenka	6–3, 7–6(7–0)	Riyadh
2026	-	-	-	Indian Wells

Elena Rybakina celebrates winning WTA Finals trophy.

Elena Rybakina with the WTA Finals trophy.

Wimbledon pressure, comeback mindset and competitive identity

Gauff’s comments came in the aftermath of a physically and mentally demanding win over Solana Sierra, in which she was pushed to the brink of defeat. The American trailed in the deciding set and later faced a 7-4 deficit in the super tiebreak before recovering to win the match.

Sierra had previously served for the match, placing Gauff under sustained elimination pressure on Court One. The American described the encounter as a test of composure, particularly in managing momentum shifts when control of the match had temporarily slipped away.

“Well, I’m just trying to take it one point at a time… I was just thinking, okay, I can definitely turn this around. I kept the faith that eventually I’d get my break. And once I got that, I was able to relax.”

Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates victory following her Ladies' Singles match against Solana Sierra of Argentina on day three of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships

Beyond tactical execution, Gauff also addressed the psychological strain of elite competition, referencing internal doubts that can emerge even within an established career. At 22, she already holds multiple Grand Slam titles, yet described moments of uncertainty regarding her standing in the game.

“Sometimes I feel like I have a bit of imposter syndrome… sometimes thinking I almost don’t deserve it a little bit. So I just have to remind myself of the career that I’ve had so far at 22.”

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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