At the French Open in the women’s semifinals – Coco Gauff against Iga Swiatek – Coco argued with a ref’s ruling that went against her. It was the second set of Swiatek’s 6-2 6-4 victory. Swiatek’s serve was called out at the same time that Coco was swinging for a return, which landed out. The call on the serve was reversed to “in” amd the point awarded to Swiatek. Gauff said that was unfair – because the ref’s original “out” call affected her in the point. Coco told the ref she had the right to finish her swing. She told the referee, Aurelie Tourte, that she should be “ashamed.” Coco went on to say, “It’s a Grand Slam senifinal. Know the rules of the game.”
Interesting that Coco said this in her press conference, after losing the match 6-2 6-4:
“At this point it’s almost ridiculous that we don’t have it (instant replay), she said. “There are so many decisions that are made, and it sucks as a player to go back or watch online, and you see that you were completely right. And it’s like: What does that give you in that moment?”
She went on to say – “every point matters against anybody, but especially against her.”
I believe Coco was showing her cards on playing Swiatek. Perhaps as an opponent -giving Swiatek too much playing credit, though Swiatek is number one in the world. Keep your thoughts close to the vest.
I have experience with Coco’s concerns. Bad calls and zero instant replays were the norm in the early 2000s when I was playing. I had match points to beat Martina Hingis in New Haven – and Lisa Raymond in Memphis. The Hingis match just would have moved me through the draw. The point was clearly in. And the television replay later showed the bad call. The match point against Raymond, forehand winner on the line, would have given me the Memphis championship. The call was called good by the line umpire – and overruled by the chair. Like Coco, I was astonished. I eventually lost to Raymond. Years later, Raymond would smile when she saw me – “That was a tough one,” she said. Martina Hingis’ mother, Melanie Molitar, apologized to my mother for the bad call – after Hingis won the match.
It is time for the sport of professional tennis to “evolve” as Coco says. She wonders why the television audience gets to see it – and the player doesn’t get to see the replay. Swiatek in response to Coco’s concern about instant replay would only go so far – saying it would be “easier to have the replay” – but she wonders when it would be shown to a player – and not quite supporting Coco – she further said, “I think the umpire today was pretty sure with her call.”
Come on ladies! Support one another on a big issue. Women’s tennis continues to stay in the dark ages of grudges and revenge tactics. Swiatek wasn’t going to embrace Coco’s opinion. Hooray for Coco who IS voicing her opinion. She may be the one player to “evolve” women’s tennis into the 21st century.
