Navratilova warns Sabalenka, Swiatek, and Gauff before Indian Wells

Iker Jiménez | 3 Mar 2026 | 18.37

Navratilova warns Sabalenka, Swiatek, and Gauff before Indian Wells.

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The Sunshine Swing is already looming on the horizon and, like every year, Indian Wells and Miami will test more than just the tennis skills of the top favorites. Martina Navratilova, an authoritative voice in tennis history, analyzed the current landscape of the women's circuit and highlighted three specific names: Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff.

Before delving into names, the Czech clarified why the so-called “Sunshine Double”—winning Indian Wells and Miami consecutively—is one of the most challenging feats on the calendar. “Indian Wells, Miami… it’s a minor ordeal. There are many variables, and you lose three hours in the process. It’s difficult to stay on top for so long, both physically and emotionally,” she pointed out. The difference in conditions between the California desert and the humidity of Florida makes these weeks a demanding test.

Sabalenka and the mental battle in finals

Aryna Sabalenka comes in as the world number one, having played five Grand Slam finals in the last six appearances. However, she has lost three of them. This is the major challenge for Navratilova. “The good thing is that she's making finals. The bad thing is that she has lost three of them,” she explained before delving deeper into the issue. “It’s hard to get over it because you can handle it until you're back there. When you're in that situation again, your body does what it wants, and you don’t know how to react. It's very easy to develop mental scars, considering it’s the biggest stage possible and everyone is watching. That magnifies everything.”

Nevertheless, the Czech expressed confidence in her ability to deal with it. “Looking back, how she fixed her serve and composed herself says a lot about her. I think she will find a way to handle it better,” she pointed out. Navratilova also highlighted Elena Rybakina as a reference after her title in Australia, stating that if she is fully healthy, both are currently the top two favorites.

Swiatek and Gauff under scrutiny

The analysis also encompassed Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, two players who have dominated large portions of the circuit in recent years. “I think both Iga and Coco, the matches they used to win easily are now won with difficulty or lost. It doesn't take much for that to happen,” Navratilova explained. According to the Czech, the circuit has evolved against them: “Other players are starting to figure out how to beat them because now they have the appropriate tactical tools. They have clarity in what they must do.”

Regarding Gauff's specific struggles with her serve, Navratilova was clear: “Technically, she’s fine. Sometimes it becomes somewhat mental when the technique is correct. As soon as you think ‘I don’t want to double fault’… you double fault. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. When you have confidence, that thought doesn't even appear. She's only 21, so I believe she will fix it,” she concluded.

Beyond the established favorites, Navratilova also hinted that the circuit is starting to feel the push of a teenage generation that is no longer just competing to learn. Names like Victoria Mboko, Iva Jovic, or Alex Eala represent a profile of players without complexes, technically well-rounded, and rapidly closing the gap.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Navratilova advierte a Sabalenka, Swiatek y Gauff antes de Indian Wells