“Beyond ridiculous,” Brad Gilbert slams Paula Badosa for cheating by using unfair tactics against Coco Gauff at the Italian Open 

Coco Gauff beat Paula Badosa in a three-setter thriller.

“Beyond ridiculous,” Brad Gilbert slams Paula Badosa for cheating by using unfair tactics against Coco Gauff at the Italian Open 

Brad Gilbert (L), Paula Badosa(R) (Via Imago)

The 2024 Italian Open has been quite a success thus far. With its multiple upsets and mind-blowing performances, the fans have been treated to a spectacle. Following right along were Paula Badosa and Coco Gauff, who had played an amazing three-setter match. 

Returning sensation Badosa, had all eyes on her, as she was on a roll. After beating a couple of top-ranked WTA players, the Spaniard was yet to face her biggest challenge yet, Coco Gauff. With nothing to lose, the Spaniard played one of her best tennis games after the injury. She dominated the first set, pushing Gauff to level up in the other two. Although Badosa lost the match 5-7, 6-4, 6-1, the tennis critics were impressed with her performance. 

YouTube video

However, the coach of Gauff, Brad Gilbert had a few complaints to make against Badosa. Calling her out for cheating, Gilbert expressed his disappointment openly on X. 

FS Video
You have heard me say this so many times, catching your on ball toss on serv is should not be allowed, how can u catch 3 tosses in a row and not at least get time violation is beyond ridiculous, also allowing 45 catches in a match and nothing in rules is mind-boggling and such disadvantage to returner.
posted Brad Gilbert on X

For context, Badosa had to re-serve multiple times after failing to throw her ball properly before serving. However, the conditions were also extremely windy, causing the ball to move drastically. Even Badosa lost a couple of points due to the wind.

Coco Gauff bets on herself to go big with her serves in the future

American sensation Coco Gauff is known for her all-powerful serves. Under the training of Brad Gilbert, the youngster has managed to increase the power of her serves, making her that much more dangerous. However, with the increase in power, came many mistakes. 

Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff (Via Imago)

Gauff made many more errors in her service. The American accumulated around 35 double faults in her three games at the Italian Open. Even against Paula Badosa, she had hit around 11 double faults, raising eyebrows on her technique. 

I'm going big on the first serve, so I know I'm probably going to miss more. It's just finding the balance of going big but also knowing when to slow down just to get the serve in. I bet on myself to continue to go big. I know when I go big and my serve goes in it's dangerous. Even though this tournament I want to win, I'm trying to think long-term. I don't want to lose the 120 (mph) serve by not going for it.
said Coco Gauff in the post-match interview

Nevertheless, Gauff has made it to yet another Masters quarterfinals and will take on another young prodigy, Qinwen Zheng. Another exciting matchup lines up for the fans, who gear up to witness the two youngsters play each other for a spot in the last four.

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