Coco Gauff’s Frustrating Elimination at the Paris 2024 Games Is Giving Us Flashbacks
When Coco Gauff won the US Open (and our hearts) last September, she was deemed Tennis’s next big American star. After powerhouses like Serena and Venus Williams, Gauff proved to be the breath of fresh air everyone needed, and we were so ready for it.
Fast forward a few months, Gauff became the flag-bearer for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and set out to make history yet again. But, sadly to her fans, the 20-year-old was eliminated this morning after a match with Croatian player Donna Vekić.
And while Gauff’s loss is disappointing in itself, one moment from the game has fans still riled up. In one play during the match, Gauff disputed a call with chair umpire Jaume Campistol. According to Gauff, the line judge called “out” before she hit it back to Vekić. The ball then hit the next. Shortly after, the chair umpire called for a correction to the line judge’s call, thus making Vekić’s shot in. In turn, Gauff lost the point and gave the breakpoint to her opponent.
Gauff then went up to the umpire to complain. “I never argue these calls. But he called it out before I hit the ball,” she said, becoming visibly upset, per People. “It’s not even a perception; it’s the rules. I always have to advocate for myself.”
“This isn’t fair,” she continued. At one point, Gauff moved away from the judge and almost broke down in tears before returning to the argument.
“I feel like I’m getting cheated on constantly in this game,” she continued. “I constantly feel like that. And then you guys apologize afterward, you say, ‘I’m sorry,’ and then what does that do for me in the match?”
After five minutes of back-and-forth, the game continued. The game ended at a 7-6, 6-2 win for the Croatian.
In the post-game interviews, Gauff explained that today’s misunderstanding was just one example of a pattern she’s been experiencing. “There have been multiple times this year where that happened to me where I feel like I always have to be an advocate for myself on the court,” she said, per The New York Times. “I feel like in tennis, we should have a [Video Assistant Referee] system because these points are big deals. Usually, afterward, they apologize. It’s kind of frustrating when the sorry doesn’t help you once the match is over.”
Along with Gauff, many viewers were understandably upset over the situation. “Btw, Coco Gauff is 100% in the right there — especially with the words that the umpire was saying (‘it doesn’t matter’ if the line judge called it out first??),” wrote one user on X. “Frustrating in such a big moment.”
“Coco’s a fierce advocator, and still had the grace not to blame the umpire’s call on her loss,” echoed another Gauff fan. “Onwards. also nobody talk to me today ????.”
Among the commenters, many linked Gauff’s experience with Serena and Venus’, who advocated for fairness and respect in Tennis throughout their careers. “Perhaps, Serena or Venus will call her, and share their experiences,” wrote one user on X.
Famously, for instance, Serena had quite an unapologetic confrontation with umpire Carlos Ramos at the 2018 US Open final between her and Naomi Osaka. “I have never cheated in my life,” the multi-Grand Slam winner told the umpire, per Vox. “You owe me an apology.”
So while it’s infuriating to see these unfair calls and frustrating situations still happening today, we hope these Tennis stars can lend a hand to Gauff at this time. If anything, we’re sure Gauff got some of her fighting spirit watching them when she grew up.
“Serena was once just a stranger printed on a poster hanging in your room, and now you still can’t believe she’s a friend and mentor,” Gauff once wrote to NBC Olympics about their friendship. “Her profound impact on tennis, what it means to be a champion and to break barriers is a legacy you hope to uphold and carry with you into your first Olympic Games.”
Looks like the Williams sisters have created a legacy of being much more than just a good Tennis player. They’re all advocates too.
Before you go, click here to see Team USA Olympians through the decades.
