World No. 4 and United States athlete Coco Gauff was forced to retire during her third-round match againstFilipina star and World No. 29, Alex Eala, at the Indian Wells Open on Sunday, 8 March.
Gauff ultimately withdrew from the match due to a persistent left arm pain she had been experiencing throughout the match. Here is everything we know so far about her condition and the update she made on her social media.
For athletes, maintaining their overall physical well-being is a top priority, and injuries have no place on the court. However, during her run at the Indian Wells Open on Sunday, the 21-year-old World No. 4 was forced to retire due to a left arm injury.
Gauff, who was facing Eala at the time, was trailing 6–2, 2–0, with Eala leading the match. Because of the pain, the young tennis athlete had to put her racket down and call it a night.
In a video circulating online, Gauff is seen persevering despite arm pain, but she ultimately decided not to continue.
Not the ending we wanted to see 💔Coco Gauff is forced to retire against Alex Eala after feeling persistent pain in her arm. 😓Wonderful sportsmanship from both 🤝pic.twitter.com/chxwX99aUT
After dropping her serve in the second game of the second set, the American star approached the net to inform Eala, and the two shared a hug before exiting the court.
Eala also checked on Gauff again before the American headed to the locker room. This marked the second time the athlete has retired during a match. The first one was in Cincinnati in 2022.
Prior to this, Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam champion, had her left arm wrapped and had already received treatment during an injury timeout in the opening set.
With the win, Eala advances to the next round. In a report by Gulf News, Eala said, 'I really didn't want to win this way.'
Source: International Business Times UK
