Coco Gauff has overcome a nerve issue and is ready for the WTA 1000 Miami Open. However, she recently revealed that she despised going through the MRI scan, which made her feel “claustrophobic.”
During the third round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Gauff was trailing 6-2, 2-0 against Alexandra Eala when the American decided to retire, citing severe pain in her arm. With little time left for the Miami Open, the World No. 4 acted swiftly and got an MRI done, her first ever.
“That was the first time I took an MRI. They’re expensive, and I felt like that’s what a coffin would feel like. It was very weird. I felt claustrophobic, so I definitely don’t want to go into one of those again,” Gauff told reporters after a practice session on Tuesday (via Miami Herald).
The 22-year-old added that had it been any other event, she would have given her arm some rest, but the Delray Beach native did not want to miss the tournament close to her home.
“I think the goal was to play this tournament. There was a thought of maybe skipping it, but if it wasn’t Miami, I probably would skip it, but the fact that it is Miami, I really wanted to be here,” she said.
This will be Gauff’s seventh appearance in Miami, but she has yet to win the title.
“Most Professional At Her Age” – Andy Roddick Weighs in on Coco Gauff’s Injury
Several tennis players, including Coco Gauff, have spoken out against the hectic scheduling throughout the season. As a result, players often pick up injuries.
After Gauff’s mid-match retirement at Indian Wells, former player Andy Roddick sympathized with his compatriot.
“It’s never good to see Coco [pull out]. She is not someone who throws in the towel or retires from matches. She is not someone who, even with struggles with shots, she leans into the stress and shows up the next week. She is maybe one of the most professional people I have ever seen at her age,” Roddick said on the Served podcast.
“Which would tend to make us maybe accurately concerned about this arm situation. Hopefully it’s nothing. If I am her team and she is not feeling great going into Miami, she is not one to lay off the calendar. She plays a pretty heavy schedule all the time. It’s a tough tightrope walk,” he added.
Also Read:
Daniil Medvedev Gives Alarming Judgement on Novak Djokovic’s Shock PTPA Exit
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
