The Indian Wells Tennis Garden is set to host this year’s largest men’s and women’s combined tournament after the four Grand Slams. Top ATP and WTA players, including Coco Gauff, Paula Badosa, and many others, have already touched down in Tennis Paradise, with the main draw commencing on Wednesday, March 4.
Before the intense competition began, the American and the Spaniard were spotted having a lighthearted moment on the courts of Indian Wells during their practice sessions.
Coco Gauff and Paula Badosa Share a Lighthearted Moment During Indian Wells Practice Sessions
Gauff and Badosa are known for their friendly, respectful relationship on tour. This is based on the mutual admiration they have for each other, which helps them get along during their time together. The American has clarified that they are “not super close” off the courts, while the Spaniard has made it clear that she “loves” Gauff, calling her a great competitor.
Now that both players are in Indian Wells, it was about time for another reunion of these on-court besties. In a video clip posted by the official X account of the BNP Paribas Open, Gauff and Badosa could be seen practicing together on the hard courts just before the main draw kicks off.
Both were standing near the net to talk and laugh about something, and then went back to their serving and receiving positions. The caption read, “Girls being girls 🥰 #TennisParadise,” which perfectly depicts the environment in California.
Girls being girls 🥰#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/ujJN4QwxPM
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 2, 2026
Another recent social media footage, shared by a fan on X, captures Badosa and Gauff hugging each other at the nets, seemingly after their practice session. Both players have faced each other multiple times on the WTA Tour, with their most recent match being the 2025 Australian Open quarterfinals.
The Spaniard defeated the American 7-5, 6-4 in straight sets to secure her spot in the final four, where she lost against the top seed, Aryna Sabalenka, in straight sets.
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Since then, these two have been close friends, with Badosa gifting Gauff a pair of diamond earrings from her own jewelry collection in June 2025. The American posted it on her Instagram story, sharing her happiness with the entire world, showing her appreciation and fondness for the Spaniard.
The Field Is Set in Indian Wells for the BNP Paribas Open
Gauff made her Indian Wells debut in 2021, defeating Caroline Garcia in the first round match in three sets. However, her campaign was cut short in the very next match as she was eliminated by Badosa 6-2, 6-2 in straight sets.
She then made a deep run in 2023, reaching the quarterfinals, where she lost 4-6, 0-6 against the eventual runner-up Sabalenka. The very next year, Gauff reached the semifinals, losing to Maria Sakkari in three sets, marking her deepest run in the Tennis Paradise.
The American has been in good form this year, making deep runs at various tournaments. She lost to Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Australian Open and the semifinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships, whereas she lost to Elisabetta Cocciaretto in her first match in Doha.
Badosa, on the other hand, has had immense success on the courts of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. She entered the tournament as the 21st seed and defeated 15th seed Gauff, third seed Barbora Krejčíková, 10th seed Angelique Kerber, and 12th seed Ons Jabeur before defeating the 27th seed Victoria Azarenka in the finals.
Her title defense ended in the semifinals the next year after a three-set loss against the eventual runner-up Sakkari. For the last two years, the Spaniard missed the main draw due to back injuries, making the 2023 run her last at the venue.
These back injuries have followed Badosa recently, hampering her performance in the latter half of 2025 and 2026 so far. She lost to Elena Rybakina at the Brisbane International in her second match this year, before losing her first match in Adelaide against Marie Bouzková. She then lost in the second round in Melbourne to Oksana Selekhmeteva and then suffered from her injury in the Middle Eastern swing.
Many top players, including Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Naomi Osaka, Emma Raducanu, Rybakina, and others, have already arrived at the venue. However, the entire tennis world is concerned for the 2026 Dubai Tennis Championships winner, Daniil Medvedev, as he and his family are currently stuck in the United Arab Emirates with tensions in the entire Middle East.
He recently shared a message with all the fans who were worried and sending him wishes for the difficult time in Dubai.
