Coco Gauff provided a lighthearted moment at the French Open on Tuesday when she made her way onto Court Philippe-Chatrier without her rackets, causing a brief pause in the match. The mix-up was resolved quickly when a ball boy rushed onto the court with Gauff’s mint-colored rackets, prompting laughter and applause from the audience.
Despite the humorous hiccup, the No. 2 seed Gauff triumphed over Australia’s Olivia Gadecki with a solid score of 6-2, 6-2 in her first-round match. Following the incident, Gauff playfully placed the blame on her coach, who is known for his superstitions regarding match preparations. She remarked, “Honestly, as long as I’ve been on tour, my coach has always put the rackets in the bag before the match because he’s very superstitious. I’m blaming it on my coach. It’s OK.”
Gadecki joined in on the fun, reflecting on the incident by stating, “Now that I think about it, it seems like that was the only way I was going to win the match. It was a funny little incident.”
This incident showcases the lighter side of competitive sports and how athletes can share a laugh even amidst the pressures of high-stakes matches. Gauff’s affable personality continues to resonate with fans, adding to her growing popularity as she advances further in the tournament.
Such moments remind everyone that sports are not just about competition, but also about enjoyment and the shared experiences that make them memorable.