Coco Gauff’s Tearful Moment At The Olympics Is Part Of A Much Bigger Issue

Black people are constantly demonized for advocating for themselves. Let’s do better.

It’s been two weeks, but we’re back with this week’s Culture Catchall. Summertime meant I had to travel and take a few trips. One place I wish I’d visited is Paris, where the Olympic Games are making waves with exciting firsts, stunning fashions and impressive athletes. Celebrities like Queen Latifah, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Snoop Dogg and Beyoncé, who surprised everyone with her welcome video for Team USA, are also making their mark.

While some are enjoying the festivities, it hasn’t been all smiles for Coco Gauff. During her third-round singles match against Croatian athlete Donna Vekić, Gauff got into a heated argument with umpire Jaume Campistol. After a controversial call by a linesperson, Campistol awarded the point to Vekić, causing Gauff to break down in tears.

“I never argue these calls. But he called it out before I hit the ball,” Gauff protested. After her loss, she spoke about always having to advocate for herself on the court, expressing her frustration with the recurring issues she’s faced this year.

“I felt that he called it before I hit, and I don’t think the ref disagreed. I think he just thought it didn’t affect my swing, which I felt like it did. Usually, afterwards they apologize. It’s kind of frustrating when the sorry doesn’t help you once the match is over.”

Several people on social media pointed out the unfair call — and highlighted how Black women are often treated differently than their white counterparts on the tennis court.

Several people on social media pointed out the unfair call — and highlighted how Black women are often treated differently than their white counterparts on the tennis court.

Gauff spoke to The Associated Press post-game about the incident.

“There’s been multiple times this year where that’s happened to me — where I felt like I always have to be an advocate for myself on the court.”

In June, during a French Open semifinal loss to Iga Swiatek, Gauff disagreed with chair umpire Aurélie Tourte’s reversal of a call. Swiatek had hit a serve initially called out just as Gauff was swinging to return it, which landed out. However, Tourte changed the decision to “in,” awarding Swiatek the point. Gauff told AP that tennis needs to invest in video replay technology like other sports.

“At this point, it’s almost ridiculous that we don’t have it,” Gauff said. “There are so many decisions that are made, and it sucks as a player to go back or (watch) online, and you see that you were completely right. And it’s, like: What does that give you in that moment?”

Incidents like this occur far too many times on the court — and race isn’t the only factor.

In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour in 2022, Serena Williams highlighted a clear double standard in tennis, noting that women are treated differently than men. This statement came in response to an incident where Alexander Zverev attacked an umpire’s chair after he and Marcelo Melo lost to Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara at the Mexican Open. Williams remarked that had she done the same, she’d “probably be in jail.”

Gauff spoke to The Associated Press post-game about the incident.

“There’s been multiple times this year where that’s happened to me — where I felt like I always have to be an advocate for myself on the court.”

In June, during a French Open semifinal loss to Iga Swiatek, Gauff disagreed with chair umpire Aurélie Tourte’s reversal of a call. Swiatek had hit a serve initially called out just as Gauff was swinging to return it, which landed out. However, Tourte changed the decision to “in,” awarding Swiatek the point. Gauff told AP that tennis needs to invest in video replay technology like other sports.

“At this point, it’s almost ridiculous that we don’t have it,” Gauff said. “There are so many decisions that are made, and it sucks as a player to go back or (watch) online, and you see that you were completely right. And it’s, like: What does that give you in that moment?”

Incidents like this occur far too many times on the court — and race isn’t the only factor.

In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour in 2022, Serena Williams highlighted a clear double standard in tennis, noting that women are treated differently than men. This statement came in response to an incident where Alexander Zverev attacked an umpire’s chair after he and Marcelo Melo lost to Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara at the Mexican Open. Williams remarked that had she done the same, she’d “probably be in jail.”

Sometimes it feels like, as a Black person, you’re trapped when you want to advocate for what’s right and, most importantly, for yourself.

I think it’s unfortunate that when you speak up for yourself, you can be demonized and looked at as an “issue” whereas our counterparts are sometimes met with care and handled delicately.

Let’s do better.