Coco Gauff is sharing his side of the story after receiving backlash for his criticism of American tennis fans.
“Lol, I’m clarifying because people are dragging this out of context. I don’t expect people to travel to tournaments to watch us play. But there are many tournaments we have in America and abroad that Americans already attend regardless of who is playing. (excluding us open) where people come and don’t really cheer for their count (sic) players,” Gauff, 21, wrote via X on Sunday, January 4, as she re-shared a clip of her from a press conference at the United Cup.
He continued: “Whereas the smaller countries come with their colors and flags and it’s clear who they’re supporting. I was just speaking from my perspective. Trust me, I understand the financial side of things and I know that tennis is not accessible to everyone, it was more a comment to those who are already attending and how I wish they were as passionate as those in other countries, more specifically the team events.”
Noting that “people don’t owe him anything,” Gauff explained that he was “just honestly answering a question” that was put to him. Her opinion, she noted, was “simply an observation (she) noticed about other countries” versus her own.
“However, I am grateful for any support, no matter how big or small,” he concluded.
In the 36-second video, Gauff shared the track again Xhe said of American tennis fans at events outside the country, “I feel like we’re definitely, in tennis, the worst when it comes to that.”
“I’ve always said that I’d like to see our country elsewhere in the world like we see, maybe, the support of smaller countries. But I also think it’s just because our country is good at so many sports, so it’s difficult. But yes, I definitely think there are Americans who come out more in Melbourne than necessarily here. But I would like to see more Americans, if we refer to Sydney last year, “if we refer to Sydney. United Cup Finals.
In the comments section of the clip, users weighed in on his statements.
“Coco if most people had the money I would travel for sure,” one user wrote, while another clarified: “She is talking about Americans who LIVE in these countries where she has tournaments. And people who have the means to travel the world (many tennis fans have MONEY). She is not talking about regular 9-5 people who live in Alabama and Virginia.”
After Gauff clarified his remarks, the American tennis player Taylor Fritz shared a message of support in the comments section of his post X.
“People always want to take things in the worst possible way,” Fritz, 28, wrote on Monday, January 5. “I was sitting there next to her, and I know EXACTLY what Coco meant and was trying to say, and she’s right. There is absolutely no disrespect to American fans in that statement.”
He continued: “If we played Czech Republic or Poland here in the United cup there will be a massive group of fans who will go crazy for them. We love the Americans who come out and support, some other countries abroad just have a really crazy sports culture, but we appreciate all the Americans from abroad who come to watch them.”
Gauff started it United Cup individual match on Monday, where he dropped the first five games and struggled in a 6-1, 6-7 (3), 6-0 loss against Jessica Bouzas Maneirofor ESPN.