Coco Gauff, Iga Świątek, and Amanda Anisimova are all set to battle it out for the prestigious title at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. As each of them chases their first trophy of the season, Martina Navratilova has offered some timely advice to the WTA stars. Gauff and Anisimova both recently fell short in the semifinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships, while Świątek opted to skip the WTA 1000 event after her disappointing exit at the Qatar Open.
Martina Navratilova Assesses Coco Gauff, Iga Świątek, and Amanda Anisimova’s Games
Amid a relatively underwhelming stretch for Coco Gauff and Iga Świątek, Martina Navratilova spoke to the WTA Tour about the growing concerns regarding the pair losing matches they used to win with ease.
“I think for both Iga and Coco, the matches that they used to win easily, they’re now winning sometimes with difficulty … or losing. It doesn’t take much to have that happen. What’s the final score line, maybe 6-4, 6-4, but it’s only 100 points to 94,” Navratilova said.
The 18-time Grand Slam champion suggested that the rest of the field had developed the necessary tactics to beat them, advising Gauff and Świątek that their rivals were no longer intimidated by their abilities.
“I think the other players are beginning to figure out how to beat them because they have the tools now to get the tactics right. They have clarity of action. I also think they learn to practice against that kind of stuff. They’re used to it, so they don’t get on the court and say, `My God, I haven’t seen that much topspin ever before.’ They can create topspin with their hitting partners. They can plug those holes where they’re uncomfortable with a particular shot, the forehand or the backhand and build that confidence,” she added.
At the same time, Navratilova applauded Amanda Anisimova for her “perfectionist” tendencies. However, she expressed her belief that the American would benefit from loosening up slightly and improving her movement.
“She’s such a perfectionist. I mean, her strokes are so good. For her, if she doesn’t hit the postage stamp on the other side of the court — even though it’s a winner — she’s like, ‘Oh, it should have been one foot to the right.’ She just needs to let go a little bit because she sets such a high bar with her strokes. That and I think she needs to improve her mobility — not much — but just a little. These days, the way everybody hits the ball, you must be quicker,” she said.
Who Will Coco Gauff, Iga Świątek, and Amanda Anisimova Face in Their Indian Wells Openers?
As the No. 2 seed, Iga Świątek will headline the bottom half of the Indian Wells draw. Following a bye in the first round, the Pole will kick off her campaign against Francesca Jones or a qualifier. A potential third-round clash with Maria Sakkari could follow, with Qinwen Zheng or Karolina Muchova looming as her likely opponents in the fourth round.
MORE: Analysing Draws of Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Iga Świątek and Others at Indian Wells 2026
Fourth seed Coco Gauff is set to take on Bianca Andreescu or a qualifier in her opening match. If she wins, the 21-year-old will be on course for a blockbuster meeting with Alexandra Eala in the third round. Meanwhile, No. 6 seed Amanda Anisimova will lock horns with Anna Blinkova or a qualifier in the second round, with a thrilling showdown against Emma Raducanu potentially on the cards in the third round.
