Sports · Tennis · 18 hrs ago
Coco Gauff says Indian Wells feels unusually quiet for WTA Finals
Coco Gauff says Indian Wells feels unusually quiet as it hosts the WTA Finals this year.
The California venue usually holds a major tennis tournament in March, but this edition of the season-ending event is being played there in November.
Indian Wells stepped in after the WTA Finals’ Riyadh contract ended, making this a one-year change of venue.
Gauff said the smaller field of eight singles players and eight doubles teams means more space around the site, which she is enjoying.
She is playing the Finals for the fifth year in a row and won the title in 2024, though she has a 7-8 overall win-loss record at the event.
Gauff has never won a title at Indian Wells; her best result there was reaching the 2024 semi-finals.
The Finals move to Charlotte from 2027 to 2029, while Gauff will also represent the United States against Hungary in the Billie Jean King Cup in Florida after the tournament.
Coco Gauff said the WTA Finals venue in Indian Wells feels unusually quiet, with more space than she is used to.
Indian Wells is hosting the 2026 WTA Finals for one year after the tournament’s Riyadh contract ended.
Gauff said the quieter atmosphere lets players enjoy the site, and that the venue feels similar to when she played there in March.
The 2026 tournament is Gauff’s fifth consecutive WTA Finals appearance.
She is also due to represent the United States in a Billie Jean King Cup tie against Hungary in Delray Beach, Florida.
- Who
- Coco Gauff, the world No. 4 and a five-time WTA Finals participant.
- What
- She said the WTA Finals venue feels unusually quiet and spacious.
- When
- At the 2026 WTA Finals, ahead of her first round-robin match.
- Where
- Indian Wells.
- Why
- Indian Wells stepped in to host after the WTA Finals’ contract for Riyadh was brought to an abrupt end.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
After the Riyadh contract ended, Indian Wells stepped in to host the WTA Finals for one year.
Gauff spoke about the quieter feel of the venue ahead of her first round-robin match.
Charlotte, North Carolina, is set to host the WTA Finals.
- Tournament venue
- Indian Wells
- Tournament year
- 2026
- Gauff’s WTA Finals appearances
- Five consecutive years
- Gauff’s best Indian Wells result
- Semi-finals in 2024
- Future WTA Finals host
- Charlotte, North Carolina, from 2027 to 2029
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What people are saying
It feels nice
I think it’s warmer now than it typically is in March.
I’m just looking forward to playing on this court.