COCO GAUFF complained about ‘unfairness’ during an extended argument with the umpire before she crashed out of the Olympics.
The world No2, who broke down in tears at Roland Garros, was meant to be one of the American stars in medal contention at Paris 2024.
After dropping the first set 7-6 (7), Gauff fell 6-2 in the second and went out in the third round of the Paris Olympics.
During a heated match against Croatia‘s Donna Vekic, Gauff became visibly angry with the umpire.
The 20-year-old American star hit a serve and watched Vekic’s return land near the baseline.
After a line judge called the return out, Gauff didn’t keep the ball in play.
But chair umpire Jaume Campistol believed that Vekic’s return had safely landed in, and instead awarded the Croatian the point – handing the world No29 a service break and a 4-2 lead.
Gauff then walked over and began a tense conversation that lasted several minutes.
The reigning US champ said: “This is not fair. You guys are not fair to me. I hope that one day the game becomes fair, but it’s not.”
Before adding: “They’re booing because they know you are wrong.”
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“I never argue these calls. But he called it out before I hit the ball.
“It’s not even a perception — it’s the rules. I always have to advocate for myself.”
This early-call fiasco was similar to her frustrations while playing Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals of French Open in June, where Gauff challenged a controversial call.
At the time she was left visibly emotional and said: “Are you serious?” when the umpire told her: “For me, it did not affect your shot.”
Less than two months later, Gauff joined NBA star LeBron James as the USA flag bearer during the opening ceremony in Paris on the River Seine.
She also revealed that some of her team-mates had fled the Olympic Village due to bathroom problems.
WHAT TO WATCH TODAY...
The Paris 2024 Olympics is now well underway with medals being ticked off and huge events still to come.
SunSport brings you all the action taking place in the French capital on a what is expected to be a huge third day.
TODAY’S BRIT MEDAL HOPES
Alex Yee was due to be in action in the men’s triathlon but due to pollution in the River Seine, the event has been postponed.
The Team GB 4x200m men’s freestyle swimming squad are packed with talent and could be in for gold (8.59pm).
And the women’s gymnastics team could also get a podium finish but it’s a strong field including Simone Biles’ USA (5.15pm).
BRITS TO WATCH
Kieran Reilly and Charlotte Worthington get underway in the freestyle BMX qualifiers (12.25pm).
Joe Clarke and Mallory Franklin are both in canoe slalom action, while the men’s hockey side face top-dogs the Netherlands.
GLOBAL STARS TODAY
Clarisse Agbegnenou carried the flag for France at the opening ceremony.
She can back that up with a third Olympic judo gold in the -63kg final (4.49pm).
FANCY SOMETHING DIFFERENT?
It is the final day of the rugby sevens for this Olympics, ending with the final at the 70,000-seater Stade de France at 6.45pm.
And the street-style 3×3 basketball gets underway at the spectacular La Concorde venue at the bottom of the Champs-Elysees in the heart of the city.
Click here for all the events taking place at Paris 2024 today.
Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog.
