Indian Wells 2025: Tough Draw Ahead for Coco Gauff as Potential Emma Raducanu and Madison Keys’ Threat Awaits

From Oscars to Aces! Shortly after stunning the world in a custom yellow gown at the Oscars red carpet debut, Coco Gauff announced that she’s “back in the tennis world.” Gauff will be next in action at the 2025 BNP Paribas Open. She was just two wins away from clinching the title at the Indian Wells last year, but she went down to Maria Sakkari in that match. This year, she’ll be entering this tournament as the world number 3 with a singles record of 9-3. Can the American star clinch the Indian Wells title in 2025? Well, the road to glory looks a bit challenging at the moment!

Just a few days ago, Coco Gauff shared a few glimpses of her intense practice sessions in California. She was seen hitting back-to-back forehands along with a few backhands in that short video clip. Then, shortly after that, she took a break to refresh her mind a bit with her debut appearance at the Oscars. Speaking on her experience at the mega event, she said, “I’m really happy to be here. I want to be more than just a tennis player and step into other roles…This part of it, everything is new and outside of my wildest dreams, but I’m taking it, I’m thanking God for it, and I’m just happy to be here.”

Perhaps this memorable night will help Gauff forget her horrid run in the last few tournaments and make a strong comeback in her next tournament. If we look at Gauff’s performance this season, she had a stellar run at the 2025 United Cup. She defeated the likes of Iga Swiatek to clinch the title for Team USA. However, after that, we saw her facing a straight-set defeat to Paula Badosa in the QF of the AO. Even in Dohan and Dubai, she made early exits this year.

Gauff now needs to regain her concentration and make a strong start to her campaign at the Indian Wells. Who is going to be her probable opponents on her road to title triumph at the “fifth Grand Slam” event, though? Well, the women’s singles draw for the 2025 BNP Paris Open is out, and as things look like, Coco Gauff has been handed a bye in the first round, but she might face the British star Emma Raducanu in the second round. Who’ll win this battle of these two former US Open champions? Time will tell! 

Raducanu has struggled a bit with her form and fitness issues in the last few months, and she’ll be entering this contest following her R32 defeat to Karolina Muchova at the Dubai Tennis Championships. Gauff currently has a 1-0 lead over the Brit in the H2H record, and she’ll be the favorite to win this battle. If she wins this match, then we could possibly see a replay of last year’s SF in the third round. Gauff might face Maria Sakkari in the next round. The Greek star currently has a lead of 5-3 over the American in the H2H record, but Coco Gauff will be keen to take her revenge this time!

Suppose Gauff manages to accomplish her mission in the third round; then, who will she face in the next round? Well, in that case, the in-form American, Amanda Anisimova, could be her opponent in the fourth round. Anisimova recently clinched the Qatar Open, so she’s in good touch at the moment. Even in the H2H record, they are currently leveled at 1-1. So, this will be yet another massive challenge for the world number 3. So, there are plenty of challenges for Gauff in this tournament this year. 

Interestingly, if Gauff manages to win all her matches till the fourth round, there is a higher possibility of her crossing paths with the 2025 AO champion, Madison Keys. Coco Gauff currently trails by 2-3 in the H2H record against Keys. What if she manages to seal the deal in this all-American clash? Well, then her next challenge will be beating the current world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, in the SF. Now, the American fans might get a bit optimistic seeing her 5-4 lead over the Belarusian in the H2H record.

However, we’ll know how lethal Sabalenka can be on these surfaces. Suppose Gauff manages to beat her in the SF, who’ll stand in her way to her title triumph? Well, she could then face the defending champion, Iga Swiatek in the mega final at the BNP Paribas Open. Although, looking at their H2H record where Swiatek leads Gauff by 11-3, the American fans may get a bit worried, but we must not forget Gauff’s incredible performance at the United Cup.

If we take a look at the WTA Rankings, Aryna Sabalenka currently leads the pack with 9,076 points, while Iga Swiatek is sitting at the second spot with just 7,985 points. How far is Coco Gauff from these two? Well, the American is currently sitting in third place with just 6,333 points. So, there is already a big gap between number one and the other two. However, irrespective of the result at Indian Wells, Gauff could possibly retain her third spot at the end of this tournament. At the moment, she currently has a chance of dropping 510 points due to her SF run in the previous season. However, this is not where Gauff aims to be, and she has already made it clear a few months ago!

“The goal would be to be No.1” – Coco Gauff sheds light on her biggest goals in the 2025 season

Despite having been handed a tough draw, some of the fans believe Coco Gauff has all the weapons to win these battles at the Indian Wells this year. Although her recent form may also be a worry to some, fans believe the home conditions may well help Gauff to get back on track. How does this 20-year-old tennis star manage with all these mounting pressures?

Well, in a previous interview, Coco Gauff highlighted how her unwavering focus on her mental health helps her make a fresh start ahead of these mega-events. She said, “When I look good, I feel good. I always try to start a new swing with a fresh hairstyle…it makes you feel like a different person. I’ve been trying to meditate more.” Gauff looked good and felt good in her debut appearance at the Oscars, perhaps now it’s time to deliver at the Indian Wells.

Can the number 3 clinch the title and close her gap with the Top 2 at the end of this tournament? Well, in November 2024, she said, “I’ve never been a person who thinks about the ranking. I only want the Slams, but yes, I know I have this possibility. But honestly, I don’t think about the number 1 of the WTA ranking.” However, a few months later, she clarified her thoughts, saying, “Obviously, the goal would be to be No. 1, that would be awesome,” but again, she confirmed that this isn’t something she checks every week. Do you think Gauff can win the title at the Indian Wells this year and close the gap with Sabalenka?