Coco Gauff Reacts to Viral Racket-Smashing Video at Australian Open
Coco Gauff reacted to a viral video showing her smashing her racket at the Australian Open, expressing her disappointment. The incident occurred following her significant defeat against Elina Svitolina, where she lost 6-1, 6-2 in just 59 minutes.
Match Highlights
During the match, Gauff struggled with her performance. She experienced issues with her forehand and serve, resulting in five double faults in the first set alone. Overall, Gauff tallied 26 unforced errors and only managed three winners.
Equipment Troubles
Gauff felt that something was wrong with her equipment, prompting her to have three rackets restrung in the opening set. After the match, she sought a private area near Rod Laver Arena to vent her frustration by smashing her racket against the concrete floor. Unfortunately, this moment was captured on camera and quickly spread across social media.
Gauff’s Thoughts on the Incident
In an interview, Gauff stated, “I tried to go somewhere where there were no cameras.” She expressed concerns about the broadcasting of emotional moments and recalled a similar incident involving Aryna Sabalenka after their match at the 2023 US Open. Gauff emphasized the need for more private spaces to manage emotions away from the lens of cameras.
- Gauff prefers to take out her frustration on her equipment rather than her team.
- She acknowledged her emotional nature and the importance of expressing frustration productively.
- Her intention is to avoid lashing out at her team, whom she described as good people who deserve respect.
Australian Open Journey
Coco Gauff, the tournament’s No. 3 seed, aimed to reach the final in Melbourne for the first time. She had previously won two matches against Svitolina but faced an unexpected early exit this year. The reigning French Open champion also encountered early defeats in other major tournaments, including a first-round loss at Wimbledon.
Svitolina’s Success
Elina Svitolina’s victory marked her first Australian Open semi-final appearance. This win also secured her return to the world top 10 for the first time since giving birth to her daughter, Skai. She shared her aspirations to climb back into the top rankings after taking a break from the sport due to maternity and injury.
Upcoming Semi-Finals
Although Gauff and her fellow American, Iva Jović, faced losses in the quarter-finals, the U.S. will still have representatives in the semi-finals. Two American players, Amanda Anisimova and Jessica Pegula, are set to compete in the quarter-finals.
With Svitolina advancing and ready to face Aryna Sabalenka, fans can expect an exciting clash between two determined players, both eager to secure a spot in the final.
