“I can’t win every match,” Coco Gauff hits back at critics following back-to-back losses in the Middle East swing

Coco Gauff has suffered three consecutive losses since Paula Badosa defeated her in the quarterfinal of the Australian Open.

“I can’t win every match,” Coco Gauff hits back at critics following back-to-back losses in the Middle East swing

Coco Gauff (via X)

Coco Gauff is looking to move past her disappointing Middle East swing results at the Indian Wells Open. The World No.3 failed to win a match in Doha and Dubai, losing to players ranked below the Top 10. Back on the court in the California desert, she believes that critics made a big deal about her losses.

Gauff’s last win this season was in the Round of 16 of the Australian Open against Belinda Bencic. The American star has lost three consecutive matches, dating back to her Australian Open quarter-final loss against Paula Badosa. In fact, she has not won a set since her defeat in Melbourne.

The World No.3 struggled during the Middle East swing and looked far from her best. She suffered a straight sets loss against Marta Kostyuk in the Qatar Open before getting beaten by fellow compatriot McCartney Kessler in the second round of the Dubai Championships. Gauff is now seeking to bounce back in Indian Wells.

However, she was asked about the three successive losses during her press conference in Indian Wells. The 20-year-old revealed that she’s not immune to losing matches as she looks forward to picking up in the WTA 1000 tournament.

Yeah, for me, I don’t know, everybody makes a bigger deal than what it is… I lost two matches. I’ll lose more matches back to back, it’s going to happen. Everyone is, like, oh, she’s sinking. Okay, we’ve been through this. I’ll pick it back up. To me, I guess it feels like a month, but it’s just two tournaments, and on this calendar, I have so many other opportunities, and I can’t win every match. Yeah, it is a tough part of the swing for me, just I think mainly because the conditions I don’t think are in my favor.

Coco Gauff said via Indian Wells Press

Gauff is yet to win the Indian Wells title. Last year, she reached the semifinals but lost to eventual runner-up Maria Sakkari in three sets. She will hope to get a step further from last year in the competition.

Coco Gauff says it’s normal for young players to go through tough periods

Coco Gauff finished the 2024 season on a high. The 20-year-old won the China Open and then reached the semifinals of the Wuhan Open. She then claimed her maiden WTA Finals title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff (Image via X)

She has not continued with the form this season, as she holds a 4-3 record in 2025. During the aforementioned press conference, she revealed that she’s still young and going through tough times will make her better.

But yeah, it’s just one of those things that you just move on and get better. You know the results will come. It’s, you know, just normal, I think. I’m only 20 years old, going to be 21 next week. It would be kind of silly for me to think it won’t happen to me again if I’m going to be out here hopefully at least 10 more years.

Coco Gauff said

Gauff earned a first-round bye due to her ranking, so will open her account in Indian Wells in the second round. She will play the winner between Emma Raducanu and Moyuka Uchijima for a place in the third round.