Coco Gauff Faces Defeat Against Donna Vekic in Olympic Match
- Coco Gauff lost to Donna Vekic in a closely contested match at the Paris Olympics with a score of 7-6 (7), 6-2.
- The match featured a lengthy argument between Gauff and the chair umpire over a controversial ruling.
- This defeat raises questions about Gauff's performance and adaptations under pressure during high-stakes events.
In a disappointing turn of events at the Paris Olympics, American tennis player Coco Gauff faced a loss against Croatia's Donna Vekic, reigniting her call for the implementation of video review in tennis. Following the match, Gauff expressed frustration over feeling the need to advocate for herself on the court, particularly regarding a disputed call that she believed was made prematurely by chair umpire Jaume Campistol. Gauff stated, “I felt that he called it before I hit, and I don’t think the ref disagreed,” highlighting her concerns about officiating standards. The match saw Vekic receiving significant support from the crowd early on, with chants of “Don-na!” echoing through the venue. Gauff attempted to rally support by showcasing her skills, delivering a backhand winner and engaging with the audience, which elicited a smile from Vekic. However, the momentum shifted dramatically when a controversial call awarded Vekic a crucial point, allowing her to break Gauff's serve and take a commanding 4-2 lead. Despite the contentious moment, Gauff acknowledged that the match's outcome was uncertain, stating, “I can't say I would have won the match if I would have won that point.” Vekic, who recently reached the Wimbledon semifinals, maintained her composure throughout the match, ultimately securing her place in the quarterfinals. Following her singles match, Gauff was set to compete in mixed doubles with Taylor Fritz and in women's doubles alongside Jessica Pegula.