Coco Gauff Shares Genuine Frustration Despite Winning Trophy

Coco Gauff is on the verge of potentially claiming her first championship since her recent French Open victory. She will face fellow American Jessica Pegula in the final of the Wuhan Open following her semifinal win against Jasmine Paolini. This tournament has proven to be a remarkable success for Gauff, as she has not lost a single set so far.

Coco Gauff’s Trophy Frustration

Despite her impressive achievements, Gauff has expressed her genuine frustration regarding the trophy she received after winning the French Open. Upon returning home, she revealed through social media that the trophy she poses with during public appearances is not the one she gets to keep. Instead, winners only receive a significantly smaller replica.

In a TikTok video, Gauff explained, “This is the trophy that you guys see. The one that we take pictures with… But, actually, we don’t get to take this home. This stays with the tournament.” She added, “This is the one we take home. It’s like a mini replica of the trophy. It’s… really small.” Her comments garnered attention, prompting tennis legend Andy Murray to voice his concerns.

Andy Murray’s Support

The three-time Grand Slam champion commented on social media about the small size of the French Open trophy replicas. He urged organizers of the majors to consider producing larger prizes for champions. Murray stated, “Surely the tennis majors can do a better job with the replica trophies! They are tiny.”

Wuhan Open Showdown

Coco Gauff’s journey in the Wuhan Open leads her to face Pegula, who has achieved notable success by breaking Aryna Sabalenka’s previous undefeated record at 20 matches in Wuhan. Pegula’s recent win over Sabalenka ended her four-match losing streak and positioned her to compete for her fourth career WTA 1000 title.

• Match Details: Pegula secured victory after losing the first set and rallying back to win in a tiebreaker.
• Pegula’s Reflection: “That was crazy. I can’t believe I came back and won that,” she remarked post-match.

As the final approaches, Gauff remains hopeful for a larger trophy should she triumph over Pegula. The need for improved replica trophies has become a talking point within the tennis community, highlighting the need for organizations to reconsider their awards for champions. Gauff’s pursuit for recognition extends beyond victories; she desires a tangible symbol of her hard work and legacy in the sport.