Coco Gauff made some comments that didn’t go down too well at the United Cup recently…
In the lead-up to the 2026 United Cup, Gauff was asked if she felt there was a good contingent of US fans coming out to support the team.
“I’ll be honest, no,” said Gauff.
“I feel like we’re definitely, in the tennis department, the worst when it comes to that. So I’ve always said I wish our country in other places would show up throughout the world as we see maybe smaller countries support.
“I would like to see a little bit more red, white, and blue in the stands in these team competitions.”
Gauff’s comments were poorly received by fans, many of whom reminded her about the expenses involved in following tennis.
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The two-time Grand Slam champion later clarified what she meant, suggesting her words were taken out of context.
Gauff received backing from her United Cup teammate Taylor Fritz, and now another American, Andy Roddick, has spoken out in her defence.
Andy Roddick says Coco Gauff was right and tells everyone to calm down
During the latest episode of ‘Served with Andy Roddick‘, the former world number one shared his thoughts on the Gauff controversy.
“Coco’s thing in Australia got taken completely out of context,” said Roddick.
“Australia, you go to the grounds, you have the Serbians, the Croatians, these factions of fans that live there from other places.
“We just don’t have that.
“So at the United Cup, you’re not going to get 1,000 Americans, that was what she was saying.
“She wasn’t talking about the macro version of US fandom for her; she was saying in this one event, in this three-day stretch, Poland gets more support.
“Chill, everyone, calm down.
“Like most times she says anything, she’s 100% correct.
“Coco’s right, everyone else who had emotions about it is wrong.”
Gauff’s side was unsuccessful in their bid to defend the United Cup title in 2026.
Team USA at the 2026 United Cup
- GS – USA defeated Argentina (2-1)
- GS – USA defeated Spain (2-1)
- QF – USA defeated Greece (2-1)
- SF – USA lost to Poland (2-1)
Whether that was due to the level of crowd support is a question for another day…
What’s next for Coco Gauff after United Cup backlash?
While many fans were left unimpressed with Gauff’s comments earlier this month, that won’t affect her crowd support in Melbourne.
The 21-year-old is still one of the most popular players in women’s tennis.
Looking to put the incident behind her, Gauff will now focus on the Australian Open.
She has yet to win the Australian Open in six attempts.
Coco Gauff’s Grand Slam performance timeline
| Grand Slam | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| Australian Open | – | 4R | 2R | 1R | 4R | SF | QF |
| French Open | Q2 | 2R | QF | F | QF | SF | W |
| Wimbledon | 4R | – | 4R | 3R | 1R | 4R | 1R |
| US Open | 3R | 1R | 2R | QF | W | 4R | 4R |
Gauff came closest to winning the title two years ago, when she made a strong run through to the semifinals.
Coco Gauff at the 2024 Australian Open
- 2024 Australian Open 1R [WIN] vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, 6-3, 6-0
- 2024 Australian Open 2R [WIN] vs Caroline Dolehide, 7-6, 6-2
- 2024 Australian Open 3R [WIN] vs Alycia Parks, 6-0, 6-2
- 2024 Australian Open 4R [WIN] vs Magdalena Frech, 6-1, 6-2
- 2024 Australian Open QF [WIN] vs Marta Kostyuk, 7-6, 6-7, 6-2
- 2024 Australian Open SF [LOSS] vs Aryna Sabalenka, 6-7, 4-6
She lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals, a player she could meet at the same stage in 2026.
How far do you think Coco Gauff will go with this draw?
Gauff hasn’t been given an easy Australian Open draw.
Not only could she be required to beat Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek in back-to-back matches to clinch the title, but she will also face several tough tests before then.
The likes of Marketa Vondrousova, Karolina Muchova, Elina Svitolina, and Mirra Andreeva, to name a few, are all lurking in Gauff’s half of the draw.
Only time will tell if she can go all the way and win her first Australian Open title in 2026, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.
Gauff will play Kamilla Rakhimova in the first round on Monday, January 19, or Tuesday, January 20.
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