Coco Gauff suffered an unfortunate injury on Sunday evening – one that forced her to retire from her match against Alexandra Eala.
Gauff, who had only ever retired once before in her career, retired at 2-6, 0-2 due to an arm injury she later described as ‘scary.’
As a result, Gauff will lose 55 ranking points: a small number when considering the totality of the season.
Where will Coco Gauff be ranked at the end of 2026?
Gauff has had an inconsistent start to the season, recording good runs in Melbourne and Dubai while also suffering shocking defeats to Elina Svitolina and Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
Tennishead readers have now had their say on TalkingPoints: where will Gauff be ranked by the end of the 2026 season?
Tennishead readers believe Coco Gauff will end the 2026 season ranked in the top five
A number of readers expressed their views on Gauff’s potential end-of season ranking, with the majority stating that Gauff would end the year in the top five.
“She’ll still be top five easy, too good not to be,” Peter Lynch said, while George Patten added: “Think she will still be in the top five – but only just.”
Speaking after Gauff’s shock loss to Elina Svitolina in Melbourne, Callum Davies vocalised his worry before noting the American’s ability to navigate her way through early rounds of events.
He said: “With a performance like that, you do worry. But the fact she had cruised into the quarter-finals beforehand suggests she will stay top five… just!”
Liam McMillen agreed with Callum, adding: “Even in spite of her issues, she’s far too talented to not be in the top five in my opinion.”
As Liam suggests, Gauff has struggled with her game in the last year – particularly her serve and forehand.
However, the two-time Grand Slam champion remains a supreme talent and a contender at every tournament she participates in.
Coco Gauff’s start to the 2026 season…
| Tournament | Surface | Result | Final Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Cup | Hard | Team semifinal stage | USA lost in semifinals (team tie) |
| Australian Open | Hard | Quarterfinal | Lost to Elina Svitolina — 1–6, 2–6 |
| Qatar Open | Hard | Round of 32 | Lost to Elisabetta Cocciaretto |
| Dubai Tennis Championships | Hard | Semifinal | Lost to Elina Svitolina — 4–6, 7–6, 4–6 |
| Indian Wells | Hard | Round of 32 (retired) | Retired vs Alex Eala |
“I know her serve needs work, but it’s something mentally not connecting,” another Tennishead reader added.
“She should not have crashed and burned out of the Australian Open and losing to Svitolina. She will remain in the top five.”
Another contributor said: “She will definitely still be in the top five, and my fingers are crossed for the top three! Love my girl.”
Two more fans predicted that Gauff will finish the year ranked inside the top three, while another made the bold claim that Gauff will be the year-end world number one.
How long will it take for Coco Gauff to complete the career Grand Slam?
However, John Verrall disagreed, arguing that top five is not on the horizon for Gauff.
“I disagree with the majority of commenters here. I am going to say 7th or 8th,” he said.
Where next for Coco Gauff?
After retiring from her match with Alexandra Eala, it remains to be seen whether Gauff will be able to participate in any tournaments for the foreseeable future.
However, if the injury is not severe, she will likely participate in the Miami Open, which is set to take place between March 17 and 29.
Gauff reached the round of 16 last year, beating Sofia Kenin and Maria Sakkari before losing to Magda Linette.
Gauff has struggled to reach the latter stages of the event throughout her career: the American has failed to make it past the fourth round once in six attempts.
The 21-year-old will then likely turn her attention to the Madrid Open. Gauff reached the final of last year’s event, losing to Aryna Sabalenka.
