On June 6, 2024, Coco Gauff, then world No. 3, suffered an emotional breakdown during her French Open semi-final against Iga Swiatek, triggered by a controversial umpire decision and crowd booing that left the 20-year-old in tears (The Mirror, May 25, 2025). The incident, which Gauff called “awful” officiating, occurred in a high-stakes match where she lost 6-2, 6-4 to the eventual champion, echoing the intense pressures faced by Alexander Zverev with social media abuse (Sportskeeda, May 25, 2025).
The controversy erupted in the second set, with Gauff leading 2-1 and at 15-0 on Swiatek’s serve. A line judge called Swiatek’s serve out, but chair umpire Aurélie Tourte overruled it, awarding the point to Swiatek after Gauff’s return hit the net (Eurosport, Jun 6, 2024). Gauff argued the call came before she hit the ball, disrupting her swing: “He called it before I hit it. I have the right to finish my swing. They’re booing because you’re wrong” (Express, Jun 6, 2024). The crowd’s boos targeted Tourte, amplifying Gauff’s frustration as she told the umpire, “You should be ashamed” (Daily Mail, Jun 6, 2024).
Chris Evert, commentating for Eurosport, backed Gauff, stating, “She is right, absolutely. She would never lie to the umpire” (The Mirror, May 25, 2025). Despite Gauff’s protest, the decision stood, and she retreated in tears, visibly shaken (Sportskeeda, Jun 6, 2024). Post-match, Gauff lamented the lack of video replay, calling it “ridiculous” for tennis (The Guardian, Jul 30, 2024). Now 21 and seeded No. 2 at the 2025 French Open, Gauff faces Olivia Gadecki in the first round, aiming to overcome last year’s heartbreak (Express, May 25, 2025).
