"I guess it’s just taking it more as a positive maybe": Coco Gauff ecstatic to secure much-needed win at Indian Wells after two first-round exits

America’s Coco Gauff has opened up about the importance of winning a match at the Indian Wells. The 20-year-old is already regarded as one of the best players currently playing in women’s tennis in the singles category along with the likes of Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka and Poland’s Iga Swiatek.

Gauff is currently taking part in the WTA 1000 event, the Indian Wells, where she defeated Moyuka Uchijima in the round of 64 with a score of 6-4, 3-6, 7-6. The win was an important one for the one-time Grand Slam winner as she came into the competition after suffering back-to-back first-round exits from the Qatar Open and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship 2025.

Talking after the match, Gauff admitted that she was not playing her best tennis but was ecstatic to register an important win. Gauff was of the opinion that while her service play was not good but she felt that she was dictating the play ‘off the ground’.

“I think if I just double-faulted less, it could have probably been a straight-set match,” said Gauff. “Off the ground, I felt like I was dictating more of the rallies. But, coming off a tough couple back-to-back losses, I guess it’s just taking it more as a positive maybe than if I had a couple good weeks [in my] last two tournaments. The unforced errors, I had to go bigger towards the end of the match, and even in the middle, because I felt like she would dictate. It’s kind of: ‘just take your chances.’ Then doubles [double faults], I’ve been in the practice of trying to fix things on my serve. It was just an up-and-down process – it’s tough out there. But, if I’m able to win matches playing D tennis, then it gives me confidence just when I’m able to mesh things together like I did earlier this season.”