Coco Gauff’s meltdown after shock Paris loss: I’m getting cheated constantly

Not a happy to start to life in Paris for the American

Coco Gauff suffered a shock elimination in her first singles match at the Paris Olympic Games, the third round of the competition, and she didn’t take the defeat well, complaining that she was cheated by the umpire.

The American was one of the favourites for the competition but her journey was halted at the first hurdle, and her post-match breakdown will not do her any favours personally.

Donna Vekic defeated the world no.2 in straight sets – 7-6(7), 6-2 – but the American was still adamant that a moment midway through the second set was the reason for her downfall.

The chair umpire called one of Vekic’s shots out, before Gauff returned a shot that was also out. Gauff contested that the call influenced her shot and that the point should be replayed, but the umpire awarded the point to the Croatian.

This resulted in Vekic going 4-2 up in the second set, before eventually going on to win the set and the match comfortably.

Gauff was visibly affected, as she was in tears at the end of the game and remonstrating with the umpire over the perceived injustice.

“I feel like I’m getting cheated constantly in this game. This is the third time this happens to me this year,” Gauff said after the game.

“It always happens to me on this court. Call the supervisor. It always happens to me, every time. You understand that I always have to advocate for myself, all the time.”

Her complaints were to no avail, as the Croatian progressed to the next round, with the American left to lament over what could have been in a tennis competition that she was among the favourites to win.