**Coco Gauff Shows True Colors with Grace After Italian Open Final Loss to Jasmine Paolini**
Coco Gauff displayed remarkable sportsmanship following her 6-4, 6-2 defeat to Jasmine Paolini in the Italian Open final on May 17, 2025. Despite the heartbreak of losing her second consecutive WTA 1000 final, the World No. 3 remained gracious, earning widespread praise for her class and humility. In her on-court speech, Gauff said, “Congrats, Jasmine, on this incredible achievement. You’re an incredible person and player. It’s always tough playing you. Good luck in the doubles final. I hope you guys can take it home,” as reported by The Express and The Tennis Gazette.[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/2056662/Coco-Gauff-Italian-Open-final-Jasmine-Paolini)[](https://www.thetennisgazette.com/news/coco-gauff-shares-the-message-she-just-wanted-to-say-to-jasmine-paolini-after-losing-to-her-in-the-italian-open-final/)
Gauff’s performance was marred by 28 unforced errors and a faltering serve, exacerbated by a foot injury that required treatment, per ESPN. Paolini’s relentless baseline play and home crowd support overwhelmed Gauff, who admitted, “[Paolini] forced me to play that way. Maybe I could have served better and put more balls in the court,” according to WTA Tennis. X posts noted Gauff’s struggles, with @TheCatcherMgz describing her as “unusually flat” mentally and physically, while @NarasimhaRN5 pointed to Paolini’s superior tennis IQ and serve return.[](https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/45194239/jasmine-paolini-beats-coco-gauff-win-italian-open)[](https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4267267/top-italian-paolini-cruises-past-gauff-to-claim-historic-rome-title)
Despite the loss, Gauff’s graciousness shone through. Paolini reciprocated, praising Gauff’s clay court consistency, per Sports Illustrated. However, some fans were less kind, with a Facebook post citing harsh criticism calling Gauff’s performance “disgusting” and labeling her a “loser.” These reactions contrasted sharply with Gauff’s composure, as she focused on Paolini’s milestone as the first Italian woman to win Rome in 40 years. Andy Roddick noted Gauff’s errors “made it a bit easier for Paolini,” while Jim Courier expressed shock at the outcome, given Gauff’s strong clay form.[](https://www.si.com/onsi/serve/news/jasmine-paolini-defeats-coco-gauff-to-win-italian-open)[](https://www.facebook.com/SportskeedaTennis/posts/disgustingwhat-a-loser-fans-slam-coco-gauff-after-americans-crushing-loss-to-jas/1256772936455732/)[](https://www.thetennisgazette.com/news/andy-roddick-has-a-very-different-opinion-on-coco-gauff-to-everyone-else-after-watching-her-lose-the-italian-open-final-i-actually-think-the-opposite/)
Gauff’s ability to handle defeat with dignity, despite physical and mental challenges, underscores her character. Her words of support for Paolini, coupled with her acknowledgment of the crowd’s role, reflect a maturity beyond her 21 years. As she prepares for Roland Garros, Gauff’s sportsmanship in Rome cements her reputation as a class act, even in the face of adversity.
