Anúncios
Paris, France — Coco Gauff felt a tinge of familiarity in the air. A decision made by the officiant, which she felt was incorrect. A chair umpire who refused to have any input. Her cheeks were drenched in tears. The worst part, though, was losing, this time in the Paris Olympics.
Court Philippe Chatrier was the same venue that the defending US Open champion lost to Donna Vekic of Croatia in Tuesday’s third round match at the Summer Games, 7-6(7), 6-2.
Just last month, Gauff was involved in a very similar controversy over a call when she lost to eventual champion Iga Swiatek in a quarterfinal match at the same stadium that hosts the French Open every year.
“That’s happened to me more than once this year. It made me realize how much of an advocate I need to be for myself on the court,” Gauff remarked afterwards, continuing to urge for the use of video review in tennis, just like in many other professional sports.
Anúncios
“I felt that he called it before I hit, and I don’t think the ref disagreed,” stated the woman. “I think he just thought it didn’t affect my swing, which I felt like it did.”
The 20-year-old American Gauff, who had been seeded second in the Olympic singles tournament, was already down a significant margin when the incident occurred two games before the match’s conclusion.
Anúncios
The ball fell close to the baseline after she served, and Vekic returned it. The ball was not kept in play by Gauff after a line judge initially ruled that Vekic’s shot was out. Jaume Campistol, the chair umpire, gave her a point because he thought Vekic’s shot went in, breaking her serve and putting her up 4-2.
A few minutes were added to the delay as Gauff approached the official to have a conversation.
“I always respect these decisions. “However, he pointed it out to me before I hit the ball,” Gauff told Campistol. “It’s not even a perception; it’s the rules.”
With a combined loss of only five games, she cruised through her opening two singles matches. On the warmest day of the Summer Games thus far, with temperatures climbing above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, her debut Olympic singles competition came to a disappointing conclusion. She is still competing in women’s doubles and mixed doubles.
“These are major issues. Typically, they will offer an apology later on. Because of this, it can be annoying. According to Gauff, “sorry” won’t help you when the game is over. “I can’t say I would have won the match if I would have won that point.”
Gauff already struggled to get out to a strong start versus Vekic, who reached the semifinals at Wimbledon earlier this month, before the controversy over the umpire’s decision arose.
With a 4-1 lead, the American was one point away from taking the lead at 5-1 and serving to win the first set. In the subsequent tiebreaker, though, she squandered two set points at 6-4 after failing to seal the deal. After a strong run to the finish of the first set, Vekic was able to keep her level in the second.
The fact that Vekic finished with 33 victories compared to Gauff’s meager nine is indicative of her dominance this afternoon.
“I’m not going to sit here and say one point affected the result today,” said Gauff, “because I was already on the losing side of things.”
The dispute in the second set was still the match’s most memorable moment. While speaking with Campistol and a supervisor who joined the discussion on Tuesday, Gauff even made passing references to Swiatek’s loss.
In my experience, this is a recurring theme at the French Open. As she argued her case, Gauff held a tennis ball and her racket in her other hand. “This is like the fourth, fifth time it’s happened this year.”
Vekic remained on her side of the court, adjusting the strings of her racket, and refrained from becoming involved.
“The situation is really complex. Following the incident, Vekic was asked about his thoughts on the decision-making process by the umpire. He expressed his belief that the call was made too late. “However, I’ll need to see it again. At this very second, it’s difficult to say.
The crowd erupted in a raucous of boos as Gauff returned to the court to continue play, their ire directed at the referee.
The following game’s first point went to Gauff, and the crowd went berserk in her favor.
However, the game ended approximately ten minutes later.
Later on Tuesday, Gauff and U.S. partner Taylor Fritz were set to play a mixed doubles match in the first round. She and Jessica Pegula are both competing in the women’s doubles event at the Olympics.
Over the weekend, Gauff discussed her goal of taking home a medal from each of her Paris events for a total of three. Not at this time.
To return home with a trophy is my goal, Gauff stated on Tuesday.
