Coco Gauff looked uncharacteristically downbeat yesterday, as she crashed out of Wimbledon at the hands of Emma Navarro.
Her opponent looked far more invigorated and energetic on the other side of the net, and that showed in their clash.
The 23-year-old played like a player desperate to be in this Grand Slam quarterfinal. The 20-year-old did not.
However, whilst delving over the footage, there seemed to be far more going on under the surface than just a tough day at the office for the latter.
Coco Gauff was not happy with one thing, and she would let her coach know regularly.
Coco Gauff fumes at her coaches during Emma Navarro loss
There was widespread confusion when watching Gauff yesterday, as the US number one seemed all out of sorts against her compatriot Navarro.
Not only was she inconsistent off both the fore and backhand, but the mental side of the game seemed to be eluding her as well.
Usually a cheerful and upbeat player regardless of the result, she cut a disgruntled figure, likely furious at the underwhelming performance that she just could not overcome.
She even gestured to her coaching staff a number of times, which Anne Keothavong picked up on in BBC Sport’s commentary: ‘A number of times she has looked over and ‘tell me something’ is what she has shouted towards her box.’
Then, Tracy Austin would later add to the frustration of the day: ‘This is the only grand slam where she hasn’t been to the quarters. She struggles with the lower bounce on that forehand side.’
Ironically, this explosion towards her coaches came just after Gauff detailed how much her new coach had taught her recently.
Emma Navarro could do something special at Wimbledon
As one of just two American women left in the draw, she holds the bulk of the hope for a US triumph at Wimbledon this year.
Especially after she has just overcome the top-ranked player in her country, Gauff, with surprising comfort.
Her game plan was perfect, as she won 100% of her points at the net, and simply just stepped up in the big moments, converting three of the four break points she brought up.
Her opponent did conjure three break points of her own, but Gauff was not so prolific.
The world number 19 should take great confidence from such a win, the latest scalp she has claimed in a mesmeric 2024.
With just Elena Rybakina as the outstanding player left in the competition, Navarro should feel like she has everything needed to ascend to glory in SW19.
Meanwhile, for Gauff, it is back to the drawing board.
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