'Screaming': Coco Gauff calls out rival in 'shameful' French Open act
American tennis prodigy Coco Gauff has made her maiden French Open final after defeating Martina Trevisan, but the match wasn't without controversy with the Italian being warned over her 'screaming'.
The 18-year-old, who was already in unknown grand slam territory with her first semi-final spot, made history becoming the youngest grand slam finalist in 18 years since Maria Sharapova.
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Gauff is yet to drop a set after defeating Trevisan 6-3, 6-1 and will next face Polish World No.1 Iga Swiatek in the final.
However, the match had its controversy after Gauff echoed what many in the tennis world were thinking during the match.
Following the second game, Gauff approached experienced chair umpire Marijana Veljovic to ask if she could talk to Trevisan about her 'grunts'.
On multiple occasions, Trevisan was still grunting even while Gauff was hitting the ball on the return.
“Too loud or no?” Gauff asked Veljovic.
“I’m going to talk to her… when I have a chance," Veljovic said.
Gauff, showing her class, clarified: “Yeah, I normally don’t care but when I’m hitting it she is still screaming.”
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Despite her protest, Trevisan didn't seem phased when Veljovic asked her to rein in the grunts.
Trevisan reportedly replied: "I think I'm alright. I don't need to change anything."
The tennis world was quick to side with Gauff after watching the extreme 'screaming' during the match.
Some suggested it should be considered 'hindrance' in putting Gauff off her return.
Gauff isn’t happy with Trevisan’s… grunt.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) June 2, 2022
Coco Gauff has spoken to the umpire about Martina Trevisan’s ‘grunting’. It is very loud, and very long #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/hdsWEMoICF
— Andy Sims (@AndyCSims) June 2, 2022
Trevisan's grunt is certainly later than most, but it varies quite a bit.
Easy to see as an attempt to interfere with opponent. Reality is that is she is relaxing the swing at different points of the swing path depending on the shot she is hitting.— The Big 3 (@Big3Tennis) June 2, 2022
Gauff is entirely correct here.
Trevisan's vocal utterances occur after she makes contact, not when.
That's a hindrance in my book.— Matt Zemek (@mzemek) June 2, 2022
And Gauff is right, Trevisan should stop that annoying, pointless screaming when she hits a ball ..
— Marc Verstegen (@VerstegenMarc) June 2, 2022
Trevisan told off by the chair umpire for her elongated grunting, and has no interest in it.
"I think I'm alright. I don't need to change anything."#RolandGarros— James Gray (@jamesgraysport) June 2, 2022
Watching Coco Gauff and Trevisan. Trevisan’s moaning needs to be addressed. And so does the line judging. This is shameful for tennis.
— Taylor (@abcdefubiz) June 2, 2022
Trevisan’s grunt is a blatant hindrance.
— Marissa (@sportstalklady) June 2, 2022
Eurosport commentator Simon Reed added that it was the timing of the noise, rather than the loudness, that was troubling.
“Yeah, it’s the length of the noise that Trevisan is making rather than the velocity of the noise. It’s halfway between a grunt and a scream," he said.
Regardless, Gauff was thrilled to reach her first grand slam final at the age of 18.
"I am a little bit in shock right," Gauff, who is also through to the women's doubles semi-final with Jessica Pegula, said.
"Honestly, I wasn't nervous going in today which is a surprise."
"Playing Iga, she's on a streak right now obviously, and I think going in I have nothing to lose and she's definitely the favourite going into the match on paper."
"I'm just going to play free and play my best tennis. I think in a grand slam final anything can happen."
with AAP
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