Coco Gauff recently shared her thoughts on the differences between playing conditions in Doha, Dubai, and Indian Wells. The young American tennis star has had a challenging start to the year, with early exits in both Doha and Dubai. Gauff attributed these losses to the unfavorable conditions she encountered in the Middle Eastern tournaments.
In Doha and Dubai, Gauff faced difficulties adjusting to the fast and unpredictable playing surfaces. The courts in these locations are known for their speed, which can make it challenging for players to find their rhythm and maintain consistency. Additionally, the weather conditions in the Middle East can be quite harsh, with high temperatures and strong winds adding to the difficulty of playing at these venues.
In contrast, Indian Wells offers a more favorable environment for Gauff. The courts at Indian Wells are slower and provide a more predictable bounce, allowing players to develop their game and execute their strategies more effectively. The cooler and more stable weather conditions in California also contribute to a more comfortable playing experience for athletes.
She said: “In Dubai, I mean, I’m not using excuses, it’s just being real, some conditions don’t favor certain people. But yeah, a lot of the hard courts are different. They’re slower. The ball doesn’t really –1 play with a little bit more spin — doesn’t really bounce as much. I think a lot of those who play with spin struggled. If you look at all the matchups, a lot of the flatter-hitting girls end up doing better there, whereas maybe here it’s a little bit better for us who hit with more spin because the ball bounces on the court more.
So there is different conditions. It’s not just a hard court, but at the end of the day, it’s what we have to deal with and at some tournaments you do better at and some you don’t. That’s just kind of how it is being a competitor and you just learn how to do better in those conditions. Maybe next year I’ll try to take some things I learned and hopefully do better.”
Gauff’s best performance at Indian Wells came in 2024 when she reached the semi-finals. This success can be attributed to her ability to adapt to the conditions and play her best tennis on the slower courts. As she prepares for the upcoming tournament, Gauff remains optimistic about her chances and is determined to put her recent struggles behind her.
The young tennis star’s resilience and adaptability will be crucial as she navigates the challenges of the 2025 season. With her talent and determination, Gauff is poised to make a strong comeback and continue her ascent in the world of tennis.
She said: “I don’t know if you guys notice, but in Doha a lot of the flatter-hitting girls did better there. The ball doesn’t bounce as much a little bit for us who play with more spin. Yeah, I think that was one of the things.
Cori Gauff in 2025
Currently ranked no.3, the American played her last match on the 18th of February when she surrendered to world no.48 Mccartney Kessler 6-4 7-5 in the 2nd round in Dubai (draw).
This season Gauff has a 9-3 win-loss record. Gauff has won 1 title in Australia.