Coco Gauff voiced her frustration with the WTA Finals qualification format after facing a possible semifinal exit despite being able to win two of three matches.

Gauff opened her campaign in Indian Wells with a win over her compatriot Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-2 on Sunday. In the next round, she faced Wimbledon Champion Linda Noskova, who dominated 6-3, 6-3. With the latest defeat, Gauff’s qualification for the semifinal round is in jeopardy. Gauff’s qualification now depends not only on her face-off with Marta Kostyuk, but also on Pegula’s clash with Noskova.

After losing to Gauff, Pegula bested Marta Kostyuk in two sets. Gauff has one more chance in her last group match if she wins more sets than Pegula. While Gauff has won two sets so far, Pegula leads with three. Disappointed by the qualification format, Gauff said the rules are unfair and need to change. She opined that winning two matches should be enough to qualify for the semifinals and finds it frustrating that she could still be eliminated despite winning her match.

“The scenarios, I know they make sense, but they’re kinda stupid. I mean I know it’s like the point thing and all the sets and all of that but it’s like I’m just trying to win the match. If I win my match [Thursday] and tomorrow if I still don’t qualify, or whenever I play, I’m like, ‘It’s okay, it’s cool.’ I’m looking forward to next year. I can’t say much, but everybody knows that has to change.” (via Christian Court’s X)

The top two players in each group will advance to the semifinals on November 14, 2026.

Jessica Pegula reflects on her clash with Coco Gauff at the WTA Finals

Coco Gauff saw off Jessica Pegula in three sets, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-2 on Sunday in Indian Wells. Their face-off lasted two hours and 39 minutes. After the match, Pegula reflected on the clash and said playing against Gauff is physically demanding because of her movement and court coverage. She further added that the physical intensity of the first two sets affected her, leading to a slow start in the third set.

“It’s tough when a match gets really physical against Coco; to be honest, it’s probably not in my favor,” Pegula said via Christian Court’s X. “I think the first two sets especially were super physical, and I just had a little lull at the beginning of the third, which was unfortunate, like that first game… I thought her movement, I mean, I say this every time, but is the best on tour. Like, it’s insane, her court coverage. I felt like I was coming into the net, sticking volleys, and I’m like ready to walk, turn around, and she’s, even if I won the point, she was still there.”