"I feel I'm getting cheated constantly" - Coco Gauff pleads with chair umpire, breaks down crying after controversial call in Paris Olympics 3R loss
Coco Gauff's singles campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics came to an end in controversial fashion on Tuesday, with the American breaking down in tears and arguing with the umpire after a line call during her third-round loss. Gauff, one of the favorites for the title, unexpectedly lost to Donna Vekic, going out 7-6(7), 6-2.
After losing the opening set in the tiebreak, Gauff and Vekic were level in the second set, with Gauff serving to stay on pace at 2*-3, 30-30. On the following point, Vekic's shot was called out, but Gauff's response was a miss as well. However, the call was corrected soon after, with the chair umpire awarding the point to Vekic.
Gauff argued that the point should be replayed, and that the call from the linesperson came before her shot and therefore influenced her play. But the World No. 2's pleas were in vain, as the chair umpire refused to overturn his call.
Incensed at the decision, Coco Gauff accused him of 'cheating' her, further claiming that this had become a constant for her.
"I feel like I'm getting cheated constantly in this game. This is the 3rd time this happens to me this year," Coco Gauff said.
Gauff went on to demand that the tournament supervisor be called on court. Ultimately, however, the decision remained the same. Gauff went on to get broken, and fell behind 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."
The reigning US Open champion, overwhelmed by the situation, lost the match a few minutes later, getting broken by the Croat in her final service game. It should be noted that a loud round of boos broke around Court Philippe-Chartrier when play resumed after 2-4 in the second set, much to the dismay of Vekic, who played no part in the argument between Gauff and the chair umpire.
Earlier this year, Gauff was the subject of a similar controversy at the same venue, when she faced off against Iga Swiatek in the semifinals of the French Open. After a near-identical overturned call, Gauff broke down in tears and argued with the chair umpire, leading to the crowd booing the umpire.
"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 said.
Donna Vekic into her first Olympics quarterfinals after Coco Gauff win
With her win over Coco Gauff in Paris, Donna Vekic is into the quarterfinals at the Olympics for the first time in her career. The Croat will next take on either Maria Sakkari or Marta Kostyuk.
Should she reach the semifinals, Vekic is likely to run into fourth seed Jasmine Paolini. Meanwhile, top seed and four-time Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek remains the favorite to reach the final from the top half of the draw.