Tennis star Coco Gauff had a rough day at the Australian Open quarter-finals, crashing out with a 6-1, 6-2 defeat against Elina Svitolina. The world watched as emotions boiled over for Gauff, who was caught on camera smashing her racket backstage. She’s not too happy about that, slamming broadcasters for airing what she felt should have been a private moment of frustration.
“I tried to go somewhere without cameras,” Gauff said, highlighting the need for more private spaces for players to deal with their emotions away from the spotlight. She emphasised the importance of venting frustrations to avoid taking it out on her supportive team.
Described as “shocking” by Tim Henman, the defeat saw Gauff struggle with her serve and forehand, with plenty of unforced errors. Despite being a Grand Slam champion, Henman expressed sympathy for Gauff, noting the mental toll that such a defeat can take. Laura Robson also commented on Gauff appearing to panic and lose her competitive edge.
This defeat marked a major upset in Melbourne, with Svitolina now advancing to face World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the upcoming semi-final. While the cameras caught Gauff’s raw disappointment, it’s clear that the pressure at the top is intense. Here’s hoping she bounces back stronger next time! 🎾