Coco Gauff Expresses Frustration Over Controversial Ruling at Paris Olympics

Coco Gauff experienced an emotional moment during her match against Donna Vekic at the Paris Olympics, culminating in a heated exchange with chair umpire Jaume Campistol. The reigning US Open champion was trailing in the second set when a controversial call led to a service break for Vekic, who ultimately won the match 7-6, 6-2. Gauff argued that the umpire had initially called Vekic's shot out before reversing the decision, which she believed violated the rules. The incident marked another chapter in Gauff's ongoing struggles with officiating at Roland Garros, where she has faced similar frustrations in the past. During her confrontation with the umpire, Gauff referenced previous matches, indicating that this was not an isolated incident. “It always happens here at the French Open to me,” she lamented, highlighting a pattern of contentious calls that have affected her performance. Despite the emotional toll of the argument, Gauff later downplayed the impact of the disputed call on the match's outcome. She acknowledged that she was already struggling before the incident and did not want to attribute her loss to a single point. “I’m not going to sit here and say one point affected the result today,” she stated, emphasizing her focus on the overall match rather than the specific controversy. As Gauff continues her journey in professional tennis, the incident serves as a reminder of the pressures athletes face, both on and off the court, particularly in high-stakes environments like the Olympics.