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Coco Gauff reduced to tears in heartbreaking scenes at French Open

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·5-min read
Coco Gauff, pictured here in tears after the French Open final.
Coco Gauff was reduced to tears after the French Open final. Image: Getty

Coco Gauff couldn't help but cry tears of sadness after her dreams of becoming a teenage grand slam champion were ruined by a rampaging Iga Swiatek.

Swiatek extended her unbeaten streak to 35 matches on Saturday after beating Gauff 6-1 6-3 in the French Open final.

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The 18-year-old Gauff was no match for the World No.1 on Saturday, but could hold her head high after a remarkable run into the Roland Garros final.

Nevertheless, the teenager was still gutted about her performance in the decider and was reduced to tears while sitting at her courtside seat after the match.

Gauff buried her head in her towel and was consoled by tournament director Amalie Mauresmo, before composing herself for the post-match presentation.

However the tears flowed once again as she thanked her supporters in her runner-up speech.

"The past couple months have truly been amazing and you totally deserve it," Gauff told her 21-year-old opponent.

"Hopefully we can play each other in more finals, and maybe I can get a win on you one of these days!"

Coco Gauff, pictured here in tears in her runner-up speech at the French Open.
Coco Gauff broke down in tears in her runner-up speech at the French Open. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) (Corbis via Getty Images)

The 18-year-old once again broke down in tears during her press conference as she reflected on what could have been.

“I feel like, throughout my career, and even in juniors, the reason I had success so early is that I was able to see that level and then go back and practice and try to reach that level," she said.

"Now that I have seen the level - this level of No.1 and 35 matches (won in a row by Swiatek), I know what I have to do.

“I’m sure I’m going to play her in another final and, hopefully, it’s a different result.”

Fans and commentators were left gutted for Gauff but predicted big things for her future.

Iga Swiatek continues dominant run in women's tennis

Having won her past six tournaments and improving her record to 42-3 this season, Swiatek has emerged as a dominant figure in women's tennis.

The 23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams has been out of action for nearly a year and Australia's three-time major champion Ash Barty announced in March she was retiring at age 25 and relinquishing the No.1 ranking.

"Two years ago, winning this title was something amazing. Honestly, I wouldn't expect it, ever," Swiatek said.

"But this time, I feel like I worked hard and did everything to get here, even though it was pretty tough. The pressure was big."

Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek, pictured here with their trophies in the French Open post-match ceremony.
Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek pose with their trophies in the French Open post-match ceremony. (Photo by John Berry/Getty Images) (John Berry via Getty Images)

Swiatek broke serve right from the get-go, with plenty of help from Gauff, who put a forehand into the net, double-faulted, dumped a forehand into the net, and pushed another forehand long.

When Gauff's work-in-progress forehand betrayed her again, Swiatek was quickly up 4-0 and the set was all-but gone.

Gauff began the second set by breaking Swiatek for the only time, and then holding to go up 2-0.

But it was to no avail, and Gauff ended with more unforced errors (23-16) and fewer winners - 14 for her and 18 for Swiatek.

Swiatek is not just winning, but winning easily.

She has already won 16 sets this year 6-0, and it's only early June.

with agencies

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