Injury concerns debunked: Coco Gauff inclusion in Miami Open given boost after featuring in practice sessions in Florida

Indian Wells proved to be another disappointing setback for Coco Gauff. This time, it was not just the result, but that she left the court injury-stricken, retiring with an arm injury. Concerns arose whether she would be able to compete in the Miami Open, but these seemed to be squashed with Gauff taking to the court at Hard Rock Stadium.

It is fair to say that by her incredibly lofty standards, it has not been a great start to 2026 for the world number four. A quarterfinal in the Australian Open was followed by early exits in the Qatar Open and Indian Wells. The one shining positivity is a semi-final run in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, but aspects of her game, specifically her serve, still need much work.

Her campaign in the California desert would soon come into an obstacle that she was not able to traverse. It was in the form of an injury to her left arm in the tie against Alexandra Eala. The Filipina went 6-2 ahead in the first set as Gauff tried to soldier on. The two-time Grand Slam winner called it a day after being broken in the second set and losing a seventh game on the spin.

A disappointing end to the third WTA 1000 tournament of the year, but more frustrating and concerning was how bad this injury would be. She described it at the time, 'like a firework was going off inside of my arm.' It was something never experienced by the 21-year-old, whose inclusion in the Miami Open was on a knife-edge.

Fortunately, the signs look to be positive for Gauff, who hinted at a return to her home event. Being from Florida, this is a very special event for her. It was also the scene where she made her debut on the WTA Tour back in 2019 as a 15-year-old.

It would be a painful blow if she were unable to compete, but luckily it looks positive for the American. She was spotted by fans on 'Free Opening Day.' It was a chance for tennis fans to come watch qualifying action and practice sessions for no cost, enjoying a thrilling day of tennis in the lead-up to the WTA 1000 tournament. Unfortunately, the weather conditions had other ideas. The action was suspended and eventually cancelled due to thunderstorms, a perilous threat for the couple of weeks ahead.

It was also a blow for Gauff, who had utilised her time to get a head start on her competitors in Miami, getting used to the conditions and courts. She will be back on court with Indonesian starlet Janice Tjen in another practice session on Stadium Court. Overall, it seems that the injury was not a big problem, and Gauff's inclusion in the event is no longer up in the air.

There is only one WTA 1000 tournament where Gauff boasts her worst win-loss percentage. At just 57%, only the Qatar Open (43%) offers a worse return.

It is a shame that had been experienced at her home event. Her debut in 2019 was a free hit, but she showed her glittering potential in a three-set win over Catherine McNally before losing out to 14th seed Daria Kasatkina. Two years later, she would return as a seed but lose out at the first hurdle against Anastasija Sevastova. She was on the end of a trouncing the next year against Iga Swiatek at the fourth round before a surprise defeat against Anastasia Potapova in the third round halted her progress in 2023.

The third seed in 2024, she matched her best result of a fourth-round showing before former WTA Finals champion Caroline Garcia dumped her out. There were high expectations on Gauff's shoulders last year. She produced a double bagel against Sofia Kenin ahead of a 6-2, 6-4 win over Maria Sakkari. Unfortunately, the fourth round would be her stopping point. Magda Linette was the tennis player halting her this time round in straight sets.

After last year's exit in Florida, she experienced a fantastic clay swing where she reached the final of the Madrid Open and Rome Open before defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka to win the French Open title. Those points will soon be on the line, and a deep run in Florida will do her no harm at all. Either Elisabetta Cocciaretto or a qualifier will be her first test, with the likes of Amanda Anisimova and Iga Swiatek all possible future opponents.