Coco Gauff explains left arm injury to Alex Eala before retiring only for second time in career at Indian Wells

Coco Gauff retired injured for only the second time in her professional career during her match against Alexandra Eala at the Indian Wells Open on Sunday night, bringing an abrupt end to their third-round encounter. Eala advanced to the fourth round for the first time in her career after Gauff was forced to stop with a left arm injury early in the second set. The Filipino player was leading 6–2, 2–0 when the match ended after 54 minutes.

The American appeared to be struggling physically late in the opening set. She first took a medical timeout while trailing 5–2, before Eala broke serve immediately afterward to close out the set 6–2. During the set break, Gauff received heavy taping on her left forearm in an attempt to continue the match.

However, after dropping the first two games of the second set, Gauff was unable to carry on. Before leaving the court, she was seen explaining the nature of her left arm injury to Eala.



The retirement marked only the second time in Gauff’s career that she has been forced to withdraw from a match mid-play. Her previous retirement came at the Cincinnati Open in 2022, when she stopped her Round of 64 match against Marie Bouzkova after rolling her ankle.


With the result, Eala secured a milestone victory at Indian Wells, moving into the fourth round of the tournament for the first time.

FAQs on Coco Gauff injury

Why did Coco Gauff retire from her match at the Indian Wells Open?

Gauff was forced to retire due to a left arm injury during her match against Alexandra Eala. After taking a medical timeout and receiving heavy taping on her forearm, she dropped the first two games of the second set and decided she could not continue.

What injury did Coco Gauff suffer during the match against Alexandra Eala?

Gauff appeared to be struggling with a left forearm injury. She first requested medical attention while trailing in the opening set and later had her forearm heavily taped during the set break before ultimately retiring from the match.

How many times has Coco Gauff retired from a match in her career?

The retirement at the Indian Wells Open marked only the second time in Gauff’s career that she has withdrawn from a match mid-play. Her previous retirement came at the Cincinnati Open in 2022 against Marie Bouzkova after she rolled her ankle.