Coco Gauff breaks silence on major fan backlash | Sports News

Coco Gauff has fired back after going through criticism for calling American tennis followers the “worst” with regards to backing their gamers. The two-time Grand Slam winner is presently battling it out on the United Cup, a mixed-gender workforce competitors.

The defending champions, Team USA, have been positioned in a group with Spain and Argentina for his or her opening matches in Perth. If they advance to the semi-finals and past, the squad would jet off to Sydney for the rest of the match.

However, Gauff wasn’t holding her breath for a large turnout from American supporters, significantly in Perth. Before the match kicked off, the world No.3 revealed: “I’ll be honest, no. I feel like we’re definitely, in the tennis department, the worst when it comes to that. So 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 additionally suppose it is simply because of our nation is nice in so many sports activities, so it is simply onerous. Yeah, I positively suppose there are Americans that come out more in Melbourne than essentially right here, however I wish to see some more Americans, if we make it to Sydney, in Sydney than there have been final 12 months.” Gauff’s remarks triggered a wave of criticism from fans who felt she was demanding Americans jet across the globe to cheer on their athletes.

Others slammed the 21 year old as being disconnected from reality, but Gauff has now posted an extensive response on social media, clarifying that she was never talking about home-based supporters who can’t afford to travel to tournaments.

“lol I ‘m going to make clear as a result of people are dragging this out of context. I’m not anticipating people to journey 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 player,” the reigning French Open champion tweeted.

“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 perceive the financial side of issues and know tennis shouldn’t be accessible for everybody, it was more of a remark for many who are already attending and how I want they have been as passionate as these from different international locations more particularly workforce occasions.

“People don’t owe me anything I was just honestly answering a question I was asked and it was simply an observation I noticed about other countries vs mine that is all. Nevertheless I am grateful for any support no matter how big or small it is.”

Despite the social media storm, Gauff has been basking within the assist from Perth crowds, the place she dominated her season opener by crushing Argentina’s Solana Sierra 6-1 6-1 in much less than an hour.

She then teamed up with Christian Harrison on court docket to secure victory for his or her squad in blended doubles. However, the world No. 3 struggled in her second singles match towards Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, dropping 6-1 6-7(6) 6-0.