Alexandra Eala advanced to the fourth round at the BNP Paribas Open when Coco Gauff retired in the third round on Sunday night. The score stood at 6-2, 2-0 in favor of the 31st-seeded Eala after 54 minutes when Gauff stopped play because of pain in her left arm.
Gauff, the No. 4 seed and a two-time Grand Slam champion, started the match with an early break. But the discomfort hit quickly. She felt the issue during the second game of the first set.
It grew worse as the match went on, even on shots that did not involve her left arm. Gauff called for the trainer late in the opening set, received heavy taping on her left forearm during the changeover, and tried to continue. Eala broke back to take the set 6-2. In the second set, Eala broke again at 2-0, and that was when Gauff shook hands at the net and ended the match.
Afterward, Gauff described the sensation in detail. “It felt like a firework was going off inside of my arm, and then my whole arm felt like it was on fire,” she said. “We’re going to figure out what it is tomorrow, but based off the feeling, being told that it’s probably something nerve-related. Never had anything like this before, never felt anything, a sensation like this before.”
She added that the pain got progressively worse and that she did not want to risk anything further. “I felt really bad to pull out, you never want to pull out, but more so for her because she was playing great tennis, and I don’t want to take anything away from the way that she was playing.”
This marked only the second retirement of Gauff’s WTA career. The first came in the first round of the 2022 Cincinnati Open when she rolled her ankle.
At the net, Gauff told Eala she was sorry. “I’m sorry, I hate to do this,” she said. Eala responded with support. Gauff later revealed the Filipino told her she hoped she felt better. “I think she’s going to have a great tournament,” Gauff added.
Eala, playing in her first main-draw appearance at Indian Wells, handled the moment with class. In her on-court interview, she first marked International Women’s Day. “I want to say thank you to all the incredible women who have paved the way and who have advocated for themselves and for other women,” she said.
“Among them is Coco, so thank you Coco for being an amazing competitor and an amazing role model. And I really hope that everything is well and you will recover soon.” She also admitted the win felt bittersweet. “I really didn’t want to win this way, but this is still a really big moment for me to be able to play on Stadium 1 at Indian Wells against such a great competitor. I’m really grateful to be here and I’m super happy.”
The result evens the head-to-head between the two at 1-1. Less than a month ago in Dubai, Gauff had beaten Eala 6-0, 6-2 on her way to the semifinals. Eala now becomes the first player from the Philippines to reach the round of 16 at Indian Wells. She will face Linda Noskova next in what will be their first career meeting.
Gauff posted a short update on social media shortly after the match. “Hey everyone thanks for the sweet messages. I felt a weird pain in my left arm in the second game of the match, I tried to continue but it was getting more intense.
As most of you know I rarely have to end matches with a retirement but because it was an unfamiliar pain I decided it was best to not continue. Never felt anything like this before, going to get an MRI tomorrow to see what’s up but I’ll be okay. Good luck to Alex the rest of the way, always a pleasure sharing the court with you! I’m sorry it had to end this way IW :(( see you next year.”
The 21-year-old American had arrived in Indian Wells as the top-seeded U.S. player and one of the favorites. She had shown strong form earlier in the season and came into the tournament with high expectations on the hard courts she knows well.
Eala, 20, has made steady progress this year. Her run here includes notable wins already, and the crowd on Stadium 1 gave her strong support throughout the match against Gauff.
The retirement brings an early end to Gauff’s Indian Wells campaign, but she plans further checks to understand the issue fully. Reports indicate she remains hopeful of returning later in March for the Miami Open, the second leg of the Sunshine Double. For now, the focus stays on diagnosis and recovery.
Eala’s breakthrough continues a strong week for the young Filipina. She has drawn large crowds and shown she can compete at the highest level. Reaching the round of 16 here marks a career milestone and sets up an intriguing matchup against Noskova.
Tennis fans at Indian Wells and watching worldwide saw strong sportsmanship from both players. Gauff chose caution with an unfamiliar injury, and Eala responded with grace and respect. The result sends Eala into the second week while Gauff steps away to address her arm.
The BNP Paribas Open continues this week with the fourth round underway. Eala will look to build on her momentum, while the tennis world waits for updates on Gauff’s condition after her MRI.
