"They're treating Coco Gauff like they used to with Serena Williams" - Fans react as American breaks down after umpire spat at Paris Olympics

Coco Gauff was involved in an emotional exchange with the chair umpire during her third-round match against Donna Vekic at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Tuesday, July 30. Gauff's behavior has drawn mixed reactions from tennis fans on the internet.

The incident took place during the sixth game of the second set when Vekic's return of Gauff's serve on break point landed close to the baseline and the line official called it out.

But Jaume Campistol, the chair umpire, immediately corrected the call, claiming it caught the line and awarding the point to Vekic as the American had failed to keep the ball in play. Following Campistol's decision, Gauff approached the chair umpire protesting the decision.

"I never argue these calls. But he called it out before I hit the ball. It's not even a perception, it's the rules. I always have to advocate for myself," she said (via ESPN).

However, Campistol didn't budge and Gauff, who had lost the opening set, was reduced to tears. Vekic went on to win the match 7-6(7), 6-2 as her opponent failed to win any game after the controversial incident.

The episode has upset several tennis fans on X (formerly Twitter), while many others believe the chair umpire was right.

"As much as I don’t want to see players distressed and feeling like they're being robbed and I feel bad for Coco, I agree with the umpire this time," a fan wrote.

Another fan suggested that the treatment Coco Gauff receives from the officials is similar to what Serena Williams faced back in the day.

"I always have to advocate for myself on this court". They’re treating Coco Gauff just like they used to with Serena, and I wonder why," the fan stated.

Here are a few more reactions from X:

"Clearly out was called AFTER her shot," a fan claimed.

"Hits the ball before the call. The umpire was right. Coco has to learn how to handle her emotions better in these situations," a fan wrote.

"Okay obviously off of viewing this, the call was after the hit… regardless this point should have been replayed," a fan commented.

"The judges should just replay the point to avoid all the drama," a fan wrote.

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Coco Gauff in medal contention at Paris Olympics 2024 doubles and mixed doubles

Despite the disappointing result against Donna Vekic on Tuesday, Coco Gauff's journey at the 2024 Paris Olympics is far from over as she remains in medal contention in the doubles and mixed doubles events.

The 20-year-old is competing alongside fellow American Jessica Pegula in the women's doubles and the duo has reached the second round. They defeated Australia's Daria Saville and Ellen Perez 6-3, 6-1 in the first round and are scheduled to face the Czech pair of Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova in the second.

Also, Coco Gauff is set to kickstart her mixed doubles campaign on Tuesday alongside compatriot Taylor Fritz. The pair will take on Argentina's Nadia Podoroska and Maximo Gonzalez in the first round.