Coco Gauff Upset at Paris Olympics After Umpire Dispute

Coco Gauff faced a heartbreaking exit from the singles tennis tournament at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday, losing to Croatia’s Donna Vekić in straight sets, 7-6 (7), 6-2. The match took a dramatic turn when Gauff became visibly upset after a controversial ruling by chair umpire Jaume Campistol. The incident occurred just two games before the match concluded, when a line judge initially called Vekić’s return shot out, only for the umpire to overrule and award the point to Vekić, giving her a crucial 4-2 lead. Gauff expressed her frustration during the match, stating, "I never argue these calls. But he called it out before I hit the ball. It’s not even a perception; it’s the rules. I always have to advocate for myself." The emotional exchange left Gauff in tears, highlighting the pressure and intensity of Olympic competition. Despite starting strong with a 4-1 lead in the first set, Gauff ultimately lost momentum, allowing Vekić to rally and secure the victory in a tiebreaker. While this defeat marks a significant setback for Gauff, the reigning U.S. Open women’s champion is not out of the Olympics yet. She remains in contention in the women’s doubles event alongside partner Jessica Pegula, as well as in mixed doubles with Taylor Fritz. Gauff's resilience and determination will be crucial as she continues her Olympic journey.