Coco Gauff displays troubling behaviour during Italian Open match
Coco Gauff exhibited concerning behaviour during her third-round match at the Italian Open against Solana Sierra, hitting herself on the head with her racket on two occasions, reports BritPanorama.
The American third seed’s frustrations became evident after she was broken while the score was tied at 5-5 in the first set, leading her to strike her own head with her racket. Moments later, Sierra secured the set 7-5, prompting Gauff to repeat the action as she walked to the changeover.
Despite a turbulent start, the 22-year-old managed to recover emphatically, winning the second set 6-0 in just thirty minutes, allowing only four points on her serve. However, Sierra took an early 3-0 lead in the decider, breaking Gauff twice, which continued to test the American’s composure.
Gauff demonstrated resilience by winning five consecutive games, giving her the opportunity to serve for the match. Although Sierra saved a match point to break back, Gauff ultimately triumphed with a scoreline of 5-7, 6-0, 6-4 after two hours and ten minutes.
Commentators highlighted Gauff’s visible dissatisfaction at her performance, even during moments of success. Eden Silva noted that despite her improved play, Gauff appeared distinctly displeased with herself. Fellow commentator Mark Valledy posited that Gauff’s perfectionism might be the root of this visible frustration, suggesting it was exacerbated by losing the first set.
The two-time Grand Slam champion’s 2026 season has not met her lofty expectations, marked by a 21-8 record and no titles, her best result being a runner-up finish at the Miami Open. With the pressure mounting to defend her Roland Garros title, Gauff reflected on past experiences, stating, “I learned from going into the US Open as defending champion, so I’m hoping this time I’m a little bit more chill.”
Her evolving journey on the court continues to be pivotal as she navigates the challenges and expectations surrounding her career.
