“It’s almost ridiculous that we don’t have it,” Coco Gauff criticizes tennis fraternities for not including video replays as it’s ‘high time the sport needs to evolve’

Coco Gauff has started a war against the tennis hierarchy.

“It’s almost ridiculous that we don’t have it,” Coco Gauff criticizes tennis fraternities for not including video replays as it’s ‘high time the sport needs to evolve’

Coco Gauff (Via IMAGO)

Newly ranked World No. 2 Coco Gauff was ousted in the semi-finals of Roland Garros by World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, 6-2, 6-4. Gauff was aiming to reach her second French Open final after losing to the Pole in the 2022 title match.

Although the match was lopsided, it had its fair share of controversy. In the second set, Gauff had a heated argument with the chair umpire about a line call. She discussed the incident in the post-match press conference, which has sparked a conflict with the tennis authorities regarding video calls.

100%. I think tennis is the only sport where not only we don't have the VR system, but a lot of times the decisions are made by one person. In other sports there's usually multiple refs in making a decision. I know the US Open brought some of it last year, I believe. I know we used it in our doubles at one point.
Coco Gauff said in the post-match press conference
Yeah, I definitely think at this point it's almost ridiculous that we don't have it. Not also just speaking because that happened to me, but I just think every sport has it. Also, there are so many decisions that are made, and it sucks as a player to go back or online and you see that you were completely right, and it's, like, what does that give you in that moment? Also, in situations you can call for the supervisor, but there's not much they can do from that standpoint. I definitely think as a sport we have to evolve, and we have the technology. They're showing it on TV, so I don't get why the player can't see it.
Coco Gauff added

The controversy did appear to create some momentum for the American. However, her resistance in the second set was short-lived as Swiatek coasted to victory. Gauff will now look forward to the grass-court season. It remains to be seen if she makes herself available for Wimbledon. After that, she will return to Paris for the Olympic Games.

Coco Gauff’s Roland Garros journey in the semi-finals against Iga Swiatek

Regardless of the match outcome between Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, both players were set to finish Roland Garros as the top two in the world rankings. However, the match highlighted the significant skill gap between them.

Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff
Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff (via Imago)

After defeating three-time major finalist Ons Jabeur in the quarter-finals, the US Open champion spoke confidently, stating she had “nothing to lose” and that the pressure was on Swiatek. But things didn’t go as she hoped. Gauff appeared nervous from the start and struggled because of it.

Her attempts to dominate with her forehand led to numerous errors, aiding the World No.1 significantly. In the first set, Gauff committed 18 unforced errors, while Swiatek needed only two winners. After a bathroom break to regroup, Gauff fought hard to hold serve at the beginning of the second set. A contentious line call with umpire Aurelie Tourte seemed to ignite her energy.

Although she was emotional, wiping away tears between points, this intensity helped her break Swiatek’s serve to lead 3-1. However, the American couldn’t maintain her lead and failed to figure out how to overcome the Pole’s dominance.

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