Looking for her first title of the 2026 season, Coco Gauff arrived at Indian Wells, California, for the WTA 1000 BNP Paribas Open on Sunday, March 1.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic met with the UCLA Bruins football team and delivered an encouraging message to the players. On the other hand, it’s unclear whether home hope Ben Shelton will play at Indian Wells, as there has been no update yet. After winning the Dallas Open, the American withdrew from the Mexican Open due to quadriceps discomfort.
On Sunday, Gauff posted a photo of the mesmerizing view outside her room. She confirmed her location at Indian Wells, California, and wrote:
“View for the next two weeks.”
Meanwhile, the UCLA Bruins football team was thrilled to meet Novak Djokovic and interact with him. Bruins head coach Bob Chesney explained to his players why it was important to listen to someone like the Serb, who knows what it’s like to be at the top of the world. Djokovic said (via UCLA Bruins’ X):
“As an individual athlete, it’s one of the things that I’m really missing is that team spirit is what you guys are building and what you guys are nurturing here on an everyday basis is seeing you guys, how much you enjoy sporting each other, lifting each other up, and bringing that spirit up. It’s only going to serve you as a team, you individually, a coach, and the whole community, and of course, the college that you’re part of.”
“It’s right now. This is the time because 10% of life happens to us, and 90% of life is how we react to what happens to us. I wish you guys all the best of luck. I wish you be the best NCAA team next year. I’ll be cheering for you,” he added.
Serena Williams’ Former Coach Has A Solution For Coco Gauff’s Serving Woes
Coco Gauff’s struggles with her serve have carried over from last season to 2026. Last year, the World No. 4 hit the most number of double faults, 431 in 65 matches. This season, she is again leading the roster for the unwanted stat, with 103 double faults in 14 matches.
Rick Macci, who has worked with top players such as Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, and Venus Williams, has suggested a solution for Gauff.
On Sunday, he wrote on his X:
“Coco and her serve is biomechanically better. Gavin identified the real problems and I see it is stabilized. But because she is double-jointed and her wires are so free-flowing, she has more shake and bake that causes extra movements in the arm without trying. I would go to a tight platform stance and put her on lockdown from the ground, be in a cylinder bubble, and no more double.”
The BNP Paribas Open begins on Wednesday, March 4.
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