World No. 4 Coco Gauff arrives at the Miami Open as the fourth seed, aiming for a deep run at the home tournament despite past frustrations. She recently retired from a match due to a left arm injury but reports improvement after an MRI scan. Gauff expressed hope for better results this year at Hard Rock Stadium.
Coco Gauff, the World No. 4 and fourth seed, begins her Miami Open campaign with a first-round bye, facing either Elisabetta Cocciaretto or Darja Semenistaja in the second round. Speaking on Media Day on March 17, 2026, she voiced her ambitions: “I would love to do well here. It seems like every time I do bad here, I end up doing well on the clay, which I can’t get too mad, but this is obviously a bucket-list tournament for me.” This event holds special significance as the site of her first WTA win in 2019 at age 15, though she has never advanced beyond the fourth round there. She often stays at home during the tournament, noting mixed results compared to hotel stays: “I prefer to stay home, but I don’t know, but maybe this year is the year.” Historical patterns show early Miami exits preceding strong clay-court performances, such as in 2021 after a loss to Anastasija Sevastova, reaching quarterfinals in Charleston, semifinals in Rome, winning the Emilia-Romagna Open, and quarterfinals at the French Open. In 2025, a round-of-16 finish preceded finals in Madrid and Rome, plus her second Grand Slam title at Roland Garros. Recently, Gauff retired mid-match at the BNP Paribas Open against Alexandra Eala, trailing 2-6, 0-2 in the third round due to left arm pain. “Never had anything like this before, never felt anything, a sensation like this before,” she said, describing it as a nerve issue that worsened progressively, feeling like “fireworks at times.” She underwent her first MRI scan, which she found claustrophobic: “That was the first time I took an MRI, they’re expensive, and I felt like that’s what a coffin would feel like.” Despite considering skipping Miami, her attachment to the event prevailed. Gauff confirmed her arm is improving ahead of the tournament.