PERTH, Australia — Coco Gauff took to social media shortly earlier than the beginning of Monday’s United Cup singles match so as to add context to her latest feedback about American tennis followers.
The following matches didn’t go nicely for No. 4 Gauff, who misplaced her first 5 matches and suffered a 6-1, 6-7 (3), 6-0 loss to No. 42 Jessica Buzas Maneiro.
Spain led defending champions the US 1-0 within the Group A contest forward of the lads’s singles and combined doubles.
“I need to be clear as a result of individuals are dragging this out of context,” Gauff stated in a pregame submit a few “horrible” remark evaluating assist for athletes from small nations to the assist American athletes obtain on overseas soil.
Gauff stated she didn’t anticipate followers to go to the match particularly to cheer on her compatriots, however as an alternative spoke broadly concerning the seen cheering at occasions apart from the U.S. Open that attracted tennis followers in the US.
“Individuals from small nations are coming with their very own colours and flags, and it is clear who they assist,” Gauff stated within the submit. “I used to be solely talking from my viewpoint. Consider me, I perceive the financial aspect of issues and I do know that tennis will not be accessible to everybody. It is extra of a remark to those that are already collaborating and I want they have been as passionate as folks in different nations.”
Gauff, a 21-year-old two-time main champion, stated her preliminary feedback have been in response to a query at a press convention.
“I have been requested, however it’s simply an remark I’ve seen about different nations and my nation, that is all,” she stated. “Nonetheless, we respect all of the assist, large and small.”
“I really feel like we’re positively among the many worst in tennis on this regard,” Gauff stated in a clip of the press convention revealed in X.
She added that in previous crew occasions, she has seen that gamers from different nations obtain extra enthusiastic fan assist than U.S. tennis gamers, however she attributed that to the truth that American sports activities followers have so many profitable groups and gamers to assist.
Gauff stated there was at all times good cheer for the People from followers attending the Australian Open in Melbourne. “But when we will play within the United Cup closing in Sydney, I want to see extra People than final 12 months.”
After Monday’s recreation, Buzas Maneiro acknowledged the assist he acquired from the group in Perth.
“Thanks for the ambiance. It was nice,” she stated in an on-court tv interview. “I felt the assist. I noticed the nationwide flag there, Spain, the Spanish flag. Thanks a lot.”
Gauff helped lead the U.S. crew to a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Argentina within the United Cup opener on Saturday.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
