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Tennis star Coco Gauff was ousted on the Olympic Video games in Paris after contesting a name with an umpire, leaving her in tears.
Reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff’s quest for Olympic gold got here to an finish on Tuesday (July 30) amid controversy and tears after an argument with the chair umpire over a name in the course of the match. Gauff, who was the quantity 2 seed, misplaced 7-6(7), 6-2 to Croatia’s Donna Vekić who will proceed on to the quarterfinals. Gauff’s exit was all too acquainted and irritating, because the match was held at Courtroom Phillippe Cartier, the place the French Open was held a month earlier. Then, the 20-year-old was in an identical state of affairs arguing a name with a chair umpire throughout a semifinal match that she’d lose to eventual champion Iga Swiatek.
Gauff appeared set to get the victory after a great lead within the first set at 4-1 however Vekić fought her off and would take command of the match. Two video games earlier than the match ended, Gauff hit a serve and Vekić’s return landed close to the baseline. A line choose had initially known as the return out, however chair umpire Jaume Campistol dominated that it was in and awarded Vekić the purpose which made it 4-2. “I by no means argue these calls. However he known as it out earlier than I hit the ball,” Gauff was overheard saying to Campistol. “It’s not even a notion; it’s the principles.” She started to tear up and in response to Portuguese commentator Jose Morgado, she continued: “I really feel like I’m getting cheated always on this recreation. That is the third time this occurred to me this yr”.
Within the post-match press convention, Gauff was clear concerning the state of affairs. “There’s been a number of instances this yr the place that’s occurred to me — the place I felt like I all the time should be an advocate for myself on the courtroom,” she stated, calling for video critiques to be instituted in tennis whereas acknowledging the second wouldn’t have meant victory: “I can’t say I’d have gained the match if I’d have gained that time.” Gauff, who was one of many flag bearers for america on the opening ceremony, is ready to take the courtroom once more with teammate Taylor Fritz for the primary spherical of blended doubles. “I wish to come house with one thing,” she acknowledged. She’s additionally partnered with Jessica Pegula to compete in girls’s doubles.
