MELBOURNE, Australia — Coco Gauff, who misplaced to Elina Svitolina within the Australian Open quarterfinals on Tuesday, slammed her racket towards the concrete flooring as soon as each time she dropped her serve after which once more simply to make sure.
Gauff, the third seed and two-time main champion, struggled along with her serve within the first set, recording 5 double faults and being damaged 4 occasions.
There have been two extra breaks of service within the second set, and after 59 minutes, Gauff remained calm as she left Middle Court docket, searching for a quiet, camera-free spot to vent her frustrations.
In spite of everything, there are few locations at Rod Laver Enviornment aside from the locker room which might be out of digicam vary. So it was no non-public second when she slammed her racket seven occasions on the concrete ramp after shedding 6-1, 6-2.
“One second, after I performed towards Arina (Sabarenka) within the US Open last, the identical factor occurred. I do not assume it must be broadcast,” Gauff mentioned within the post-match press convention. “I do not essentially like breaking rackets, so I attempted to go to locations the place I did not assume there could be cameras.
“I believe I broke one racket[at Roland Garros]and I mentioned I would by no means do it once more on court docket as a result of I do not assume that is a great way to place it. So, yeah, possibly we will have just a little dialog as a result of I believe the one non-public place we now have on this match is the locker room.”
Gauff hit simply three clear winners in 15 matches, made 26 unforced errors and gained two of her 11 factors on second serves. She put 74% of her first serves into play, however solely gained factors on 41% of them.
It was an unusually unhealthy day for the participant who made his Grand Slam debut at age 15 and gained his first main, the 2023 US Open, at age 19. She is barely 21 years outdated.
Gauff mentioned she felt it was higher to smash her racket than take out her assist crew’s frustrations.
“These are good folks. They did not deserve this. I do know I am emotional,” Gauff mentioned. “So, yeah, I simply took a while to do this.
“I do not assume it is a unhealthy factor. Like I mentioned, I do not attempt to do it on the court docket in entrance of the children, however I do know I have to get these emotions out.”
The loss to Svitolina was Gauff’s second straight quarterfinal loss in Melbourne, and her greatest efficiency within the match would are available 2024, when she reached the semifinals.
ESPN’s Matt Walsh and The Related Press contributed to this report.
