Coco Gauff and Maria Sakkari reunite at Indian Wells on Monday (Image: Getty)
American star will face Maria Sakkari in the third round of Indian Wells in a matchup with plenty of history. So much so that it’s difficult to know where the pair stand in regards to their relationship today.
They’ve met eight times to date, and Sakkari has edged the head-to-head with five wins to Gauff’s three. And it just so happens their most recent clash also came at Indian Wells last year, when Sakkari triumphed in three sets to reach the California final.
On one hand, 29-year-old Sakkari has been complimentary of her next opponent in the past and suggested she’s been inspired by Gauff. And on the other, the 2023 champion may feel conflicted given Sakkari has .
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Greek star Sakkari, 29, met Collins, 31, in the last 32 of the 2023 Canadian Open when the latter took umbrage with a ball her opponent spiked into the ground and towards the stands. Sakkari instantly put up a hand in apology to the fans and umpire, but that wasn’t sufficient for some.
Collins – whom Gauff has described as a “great person” she “loves” – directed her frustration towards the chair umpire and asked: “Did you just see that? Did you see what happened?”
But Sakkari was quick to respond in an effort to quell the American’s anger, shouting back: “It didn’t even hit anyone, it was on the ground.”
Tense moment at WTA 1000 Montreal tonight between Sakkari and Collins.I agree with Collins here–the officials need to be way stricter on players recklessly smacking the ball and throwing racquets into the stands. Should be no looking the other way when that happens.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg)
It was then that Collins told her “Shut your mouth” twice in quick succession. Sakkari was almost quizzical as she asked what Collins’ problem was, to which the veteran responded: “You hit the ball into the stands, Maria. You almost hit someone.”
But despite bickering with Gauff’s friend and US team-mate, things have usually been very genial between Sakkari and the prospect. Even after beating Gauff at Indian Wells last year, Sakkari said she “didn’t want to disrespect Coco”, whom she described as an “incredible” and “amazing” opponent.
Sakkari even took inspiration from her rival after clinching a WTA 1000 title in Guadalajara back in 2023. Having considered hiatus from tennis following a first-round exit at that year’s US Open, she used Gauff’s own words as fuel to power through and claim her first trophy in four-and-a-half years.
“I really liked what Coco said at the US Open,” Sakkari told WTA Insider in September 2023. “About how other people have bigger problems than we have when we lose a tennis match, and she’s spot on. I kept thinking about that, and that gave me strength.”
Sakkari has praised Gauff in the past for inspiring her to power through adversity (Image: Getty)
Gauff had voiced her disdain of “Tennis Twitter” at the US Open and even thanked her doubters for giving her motivation. And Sakkari went on to say she drew from that same course ahead of what was a landmark win in her career.
“We live in 2023. Social media is a part of our everyday life. You cannot avoid it,” she continued. “Coco said she knows the user names. I know them too. I know the person with a YouTube channel who posts all my semi-final losses, all my final losses. I’m aware. The satisfaction now, I cannot describe it. When you prove all these people wrong, it’s fuel. For me, it worked as fuel. I knew it was going to come, I didn’t know when. Thank you to them. They gave me strength.”
It’s uncertain as to just how much Gauff will appreciate the fanfare, especially after losing to Sakkari in their latest encounter. The American youngster had won two matches in a row against her – including the Washington Open final in 2023 – prior to that.
And No. 3 seed Coco will hope to restore some momentum in their rivalry on Monday, with a fourth-round berth up for grabs. Despite any admiration she may have for her foe, Sakkari will put that fondness aside as she looks to land one of the biggest prizes of her career.