Coco Gauff’s singles campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics ended in dramatic fashion on Tuesday. The American, a strong contender for the title, was seen in tears and in a heated argument with the umpire over a disputed line call during her third-round match. Gauff was defeated by Donna Vekic in straight sets, 7-6(7), 6-2, marking an unexpected early exit from the tournament.
After dropping the first set in a tiebreaker, Gauff and Vekic were even in the second set, with Gauff serving at 2*-3, 30-30. During the next point, one of Vekic’s shots was initially ruled out, but Gauff missed the return as well. The call was later revised, and the chair umpire awarded the point to Vekic.
Gauff contended that the point should be replayed, arguing that the lines person’s call came before her return and thus affected her play. However, the World No. 2’s appeal was unsuccessful, as the chair umpire upheld the original decision.
Frustrated by the ruling, Coco Gauff accused the umpire of ‘cheating’ her, expressing that this situation has been a recurring issue throughout the year.
“I feel like I’m being cheated all the time in this sport. This is the third instance this year,”
Gauff remarked.
She requested that the tournament supervisor come to the court, but the original decision was upheld. Gauff was subsequently broken and found herself trailing 2-4.
“It always happens to me on this court,” Gauff said. “Call the supervisor. It always happens to me, every time. You understand that I always have to advocate for myself, all the time.”
Gauff to the Supervisor while crying.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 30, 2024
“I feel like I’m getting cheated constantly in this game. This is the 3rd time this happens to me this year”.
Huge argument in the Donna Vekic – Coco Gauff match. Umpire called the ball out before Gauff returned the ball and missed it in break point for Vekic. Ball was in. Coco Gauff crying and saying this always happens to me pic.twitter.com/Fv8zreC1hY
— edgeAI (@edgeaiofficial) July 30, 2024
Earlier this year, Gauff encountered a similar controversy at the same venue during her semifinal match against Iga Swiatek at the French Open. After another overturned call, Gauff was reduced to tears and had a heated exchange with the chair umpire, prompting the crowd to boo.
“Are you serious? They are booing you because you are wrong… This is the second time this has happened. It’s a Grand Slam semifinal. Know the rules of the game,” Gauff had exclaimed.