Coco Gauff will be devastated to have suffered a disappointing exit at Wimbledon, with the American falling in the fourth round.
She sailed into the last 16 after winning her first three matches in straight sets, becoming one of seven Americans to reach the fourth round, the highest total since 2004.
But compatriot Emma Navarro – also on that list – eyed an upset on Centre Court, and that is exactly what happened.
The 19th seed, who had already made it past Naomi Osaka, battled to a 6-4, 6-3 victory on the grass court.
Gauff was full of praise for Navarro before the match, with the duo set to represent Team USA at the Olympics later this summer.
Coco Gauff says tennis fans can be ‘disrespectful’ after her Wimbledon exit
The 20-year-old has a lot to ponder before then, having once again failed to make it past the fourth round at Wimbledon.
The 2023 US Open champion is, however, adamant that such upsets are part of tennis, with anybody able to beat anybody on the WTA Tour.
“I have seen and played so many Slams where anybody can win,” Gauff said in her fourth round press conference.
“The seed is just a number and just an advantage, because you don’t play another seed first round, it doesn’t mean that you can’t lose.
“We have seen a lot of seeds drop out and defending champions drop out. It means nothing and especially on my side of the draw, the players may not be as known, but they are so talented.
“That is something that fans are a little bit disrespectful when it comes to players on tour. Maybe the ranking isn’t there but the level is there.
“They are here for a reason, they deserve their spot, and there is no easy draw or cakewalk or anything.
Coco Gauff is well aware of Wimbledon upsets
Gauff knows about upsets better than most, particularly at Wimbledon, having beaten five-time champion Venus Williams in 2019.
A qualifier back then, she stunned her compatriot in her Grand Slam debut, winning 6-4, 6-4 in the opening round of the competition.
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Gauff went on to reach the fourth round in London, before being knocked out by eventual champion Simona Halep.
The American was taking nothing for granted this time around, even if she had avoided the likes of Iga Swiatek in a favourable draw on paper.
The Pole is also out of Wimbledon after a shock third round loss, with defending champion Marketa Vondrousova having gone out in the very first round.
“This is competitive sport, we all want to win, and I have been there where I was ranked whatever and unknown and it would be disrespectful for another player to be like this girl is ranked whatever and is this age, I should be able to win and that is not the case so I don’t take my seed into account,” Gauff added.
“I take every match with a competitive mindset, regardless of the person or the ranking I am playing against.”
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