Top players have questioned the conditions at Indian Wells this year as the courts have been playing slower and the balls have been changed.
Taylor Fritz called Indian Wells’ changes ‘miserable’ ahead of the event, and there has been a marked change in the speed of matches so far.
Windy conditions in California have not helped, but the speed of the courts is reportedly significantly slower than last year’s event.
As the debate surrounding the conditions rumbles on, Gauff has shared her opinion on the conditions and balls at Indian Wells this year.
Coco Gauff says the Indian Wells conditions are ‘really physical’
Gauff had to battle for a straight sets victory against Kamilla Rakhimova in her second round match at Indian Wells.
The star needed a first set tie-break and a brilliant comeback from 5-2 in the second set to confirm the win and set up a third round match with Alexandra Eala.
Asked about the conditions at this year’s event by The Tennis Channel, Gauff was frank about how difficult it has become on-court.
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“I mean, it’s really physical here because the courts are so slow and the points are a little bit longer and it’s hard for me to hit a winner.
“So, and it was probably hard for them to hit a winner. So, it’s just being prepared to play a lot of awkward shots, a lot of long points.
“I don’t know, it’s a little bit different with a different brand of ball. So, just trying to also adjust to that and get used to that.”
Nevertheless, Gauff is still confident she can succeed at Indian Wells thanks to her battling on-court persona.
“I think most importantly, I think just because of the fact that it is, I think, one of the more physically hardcourts, I think it favours me a little bit.”
Gauff is yet to win a tournament in 2026, with her best performance coming at the Dubai Tennis Championships. The star reached the semi-finals of the competition, before being eliminated by Elina Svitolina.
Despite her early season form, Gauff is undoubtedly one of the favourites to win at Indian Wells this year.
Coco Gauff’s record at Indian Wells
Gauff has won three Masters titles in her fledgling career, but she’s never truly played her best tennis at Indian Wells.
The American has only reached as far as the semi-final on one occasion in her five previous appearances at the Californian event.
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Her sole semi-final appearance came in 2024, when she was surprisingly defeated in three sets by Maria Sakkari.
Gauff now holds a 12–5 record at Indian Wells following her latest win, which equates to a decent 70.59% win rate.
She was beaten by Belinda Bencic in the fourth round of Indian Wells during her last appearance at the competition in 2025.
