Coco Gauff is sharing her side of the story after receiving backlash for her criticism of American tennis fans.
“Lol I’m going to clarify because people are dragging this out of context. I‘m not expecting people to travel to tournaments to watch us play. But there are many tournaments that we have in america and abroad where americans are already attending regardless of who is playing (excluding us open) where people come and don’t really cheer for their coutnrymen [sic] player,” Gauff, 21, wrote via X on Sunday, January 4, while resharing a clip of her from a press conference at the United Cup.
She continued, “Whereas those from smaller countries come with their colors and flags and it is clear on who they are supporting. I was just speaking from my perspective. Trust me I understand the financial aspect of things and know tennis is not accessible for everyone, it was more of a comment for those who are already attending and how I wish they were as passionate as those from other countries more specifically team events.”
Gauff noted that “people don’t owe [her] anything,” explaining that she was “just honestly answering a question” that she was asked. Her opinion, she noted, was “simply an observation [she] noticed about other countries” vs. her own.
“Nevertheless I am grateful for any support no matter how big or small it is,” she concluded.
In the 36-second video Gauff reshared via X, she said of American tennis fans at events outside of the country, “I feel like we’re definitely, in tennis, the worst when it comes to that.”
“I’ve always said I wish our country in other places would show up throughout the world as we see, maybe, smaller countries support. But I also think it’s just because our country is good in so many sports, so it’s just hard. But yeah, I definitely think there are Americans that come out more in Melbourne than necessarily here. But I would like to see some more Americans — if we make it to Sydney — in Sydney than there were last year,” she said, referring to the United Cup finals.
In the comments section of the clip, users weighed in on her statements.
“Coco if most people had the money they’d travel for sure,” one user wrote, while another clarified, “She’s talking about Americans that LIVE in these countries where she has tournaments. And people who have the means to travel the world (a lot of tennis fans have MONEY). She’s not talking about regular 9to5 ppl who live in Alabama and Virginia lol.”
After Gauff clarified her remarks, American tennis player Taylor Fritz shared a message of support in the comments section of her X post.
“People always wanna take things in the worst possible way,” Fritz, 28, wrote on Monday, January 5. “I was there sitting next to her, and I know EXACTLY what Coco meant and was trying to say, and she’s right. There is absolutely no disrespect meant to the US fans at all in this statement.”
He continued, “If we were to play Czech or Poland here at United cup there will be a massive group of fans going crazy for them. We love the Americans that come out and support, some other countries abroad just have a really insane sports culture, but we appreciate every single American abroad that comes to watch.”
Gauff started her United Cup singles match on Monday, where she lost the first five games and struggled in a 6-1, 6-7 (3), 6-0 loss to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, per ESPN.
