The Coco Gauff vs. Alex Eala match at Indian Wells was highly anticipated. The two, who are friends and have played doubles together, played a few weeks ago, and Gauff dominated.
That was not the story on Sunday night. Eala played outstanding tennis, looking extremely prepared from the first ball.
Gauff, on the other hand, who is always extremely healthy, was injured. She had a left arm issue that required multiple visits by the trainer and ultimately a retirement, her second career one, with the other being in Cincinnati in 2022 when she rolled her ankle.
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Both Gauff and Eala were emotional at the end
Tennis Channel viewers could not hear the extent of the conversations that Coco Gauff and Alex Eala had after Gauff’s retirement.
However, it sounded like she was having shooting pain in her left forearm.
Eala, of course, is happy to advance, but this is not the circumstance she wanted. She was spotted crying as Gauff left the court.
Alexandra Eala awaits a serve from Dayana Yastremska during their second-round match at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., Friday, March 6, 2026.
What’s next for Coco Gauff?
The Miami Open starts in a week, and it would be a great loss if Gauff, the top-ranked American, were not at the tournament. She is a former Miami Open doubles champion.
The biggest concern is how serious and severe the injury is because it sounded a bit scary and unpredictable, which may indicate it is nerve-related.
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Coco Gauff is the face of American tennis and the reigning French Open champion, so we are sending her healing vibes and a speedy recovery.
It is a bit of a double whammy for American tennis fans as Ben Shelton appeared to be struggling with an illness in his loss to Learner Tien. Shelton is slated to play doubles with Emilio Nava, so we will see if that occurs. Gauff is not in the doubles draw.
Watch the second week of Indian Wells on Tennis Channel.
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