Coco Gauff criticised the WTA Finals format and dropped a hint that it could change in 2027 after her loss to Linda Noskova in Indian Wells.
The two-time Grand Slam champion was beaten 6-3, 6-3 by world No 8 Noskova in her second round robin match at the 2026 WTA Finals on Tuesday.
Noskova’s victory over Gauff secured her qualification for the semi-finals after she downed Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-4 in her opening match.
Gauff defeated Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2 in her first match, and she could miss out on progressing from the group even if she wins her final round robin match against Kostyuk.
Pegula beat Kostyuk 6-2, 7-5 on Tuesday, and if the 32-year-old American overcomes Noskova in her third match, she will join the Czech in the last four — and Gauff will be eliminated regardless of her result against Kostyuk.
World No 10 Kostyuk cannot advance to the semi-final stage after her two straight-set losses. The 24-year-old Ukrainian was the first alternate at the WTA Finals, and she replaced world No 1 and reigning champion Elena Rybakina — who withdrew due to illness.
More WTA Tour News
Former world No 1 slams Elena Rybakina decision-making after late WTA Finals withdrawal
Mirra Andreeva left coach Conchita Martinez ‘very surprised’ at WTA Finals after Elina Svitolina win
Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for tennis coverage you can trust.
Gauff holds a 4-2 head-to-head record against Kostyuk, while Noskova has a 3-1 edge from her previous meetings with Pegula.
In a post-match interview with reporters, Gauff was asked if she will think about the qualification scenarios ahead of her third match.
“I’m just gonna focus on the next match,” the 22-year-old American replied. “The scenarios — I mean, I know they make sense, but they’re kinda stupid (laughs).
“I mean, I know it’s like the point thing, and the sets and all of that, but it’s like, I’m just trying to win a match.
“If I win my match and I still don’t qualify, I’m like, ‘It’s okay, it’s cool.’
“Yeah, actually, next year… I’m looking forward to next year. I can’t say much, but everybody knows it has to change.”
World No 4 Gauff is aiming to win her second WTA Finals title, having triumphed at the prestigious season-ending event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2024. She is making her fifth consecutive WTA Finals appearance.
READ NEXT: Coco Gauff says Jessica Pegula ‘apologised’ to her after WTA Finals remarks sparked controversy
O que achou dessa notícia? Deixe um comentário abaixo e/ou compartilhe em suas redes sociais. Assim conseguiremos informar mais pessoas sobre o que acontece no mundo do tênis!
Convidamos você a clicar em Página de Parceiros para conhecer os parceiros do Tênis Portal e acessar seus sites.
Esta notícia foi originalmente publicada em: Fonte original