Coco Gauff has taken to social media to break up her preparation for Indian Wells with fellow American Frances Tiafoe, as the pair embark on success in their home country. The duo took to center court to practice together on Monday night (March 6), where the duo engaged in an intense tennis fighting session.
Gauff and Tiafoe are among the biggest American hopes in Indian Wells this year, with the stars arriving in hot form ahead of the California final.
Tiafoe will seek to become the second consecutive American to win the Masters 1000 in California, while Gauff will attempt to become the first American woman to win the event since Serena Williams in 2001.
Prior to their first match, the duo participated in an evening training session. Goff joked that she had “both legs complete” while chasing a Tiafoe shot at the end of a high-intensity rally.
Gauff took to Instagram where the good friends shared some of the most fun moments from their practice session, with Gauff joking: “So hot,” while pointing to her and Tiafoe’s rallies.
Sixth seed Gauff will open her campaign at Indian Wells 2023 against the qualifiers, while 14th seed Tiafoe will start her campaign against either Marcus Giron or Aleksandar Kovacevich.
Gauff reached the semi-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships, while Tiafoe last played at the Mexico Open where he reached the quarter-finals.
Gauff, who has already achieved great heights in both singles and doubles tennis at the professional level, admits that the pressure is on her.
The 18-year-old recently opened up about dealing with the pressure of expectations as she is widely seen as the ‘star of the future’ for women’s tennis.
During a press conference at the Dubai Tennis Championships, she admitted, “Sure, it’s stressing you out. I never describe myself as that. I’ve always said I just want to be the best I can be.”
“It definitely adds stress to it, especially when you have these losses, people say things about you, about the rest of your life.”
Gauff, ranked world No. 6 in singles and world No. 3 in doubles, has made an impressive start to the season, having already won a singles title at the ASB Classic in Auckland and a doubles title, partnered with Jessica Pegula, at the Qatar Open in Doha.
