Coco Gauff explodes at Roland Garros, demands the use of VAR: ‘Tennis needs to evolve’

Coco Gauff didn’t hold back her frustration after a controversial call in the French Open semi-finals, calling the lack of video assistant referee (VAR) technology in tennis “ridiculous.”

The US Open champion was reduced to tears following a questionable decision by French chair umpire Aurélie Tourte during her 6-4, 6-2 loss to world No.1 Iga Swiatek. The defeat marked Gauff’s 11th loss to Swiatek, further adding to her frustration.

The controversy erupted in the fourth game of the second set when Tourte overruled a call of out on a Swiatek serve, awarding the point to the Polish star. Gauff argued vehemently that the line call had disrupted her return, but Tourte dismissed her protests, stating, “For me it did not affect the shot.”

Amid boos from the crowd, Gauff retorted, “You’re wrong. It’s the second time that happened. You should be ashamed. It’s a Grand Slam semi-final, know the rules of the game.”

At the post-match press conference, an emotional Gauff elaborated on the incident. “I think it was just overwhelming of everything. Obviously, I’m losing the match. When you’re playing against her (Swiatek) — every point matters against anybody, but especially against her,” Gauff stated.

Gauff advocates for the VAR

Gauff passionately advocated for the introduction of a replay appeal system in tennis, agreeing “100%” with the notion that the sport needs to modernize its officiating.

“I think tennis is the only sport where not only we don’t have the VR system, but a lot of times the decisions are made by one person,” she said. “In other sports, there’s usually multiple refs making a decision. I know the US Open brought some of it last year, I believe. I know we used it in our doubles at one point.

“I definitely think at this point it’s almost ridiculous that we don’t have it. Not only just speaking because that happened to me, but I just think every sport has it. Also, there are so many decisions that are made, and it sucks as a player to go back or online and you see that you were completely right, and it’s, like, what does that give you in that moment?”

Tennis needs to evolve: Gauff

“Also, in situations you can call for the supervisor, but there’s not much they can do from that standpoint. I definitely think as a sport we have to evolve, and we have the technology. They’re showing it on TV, so I don’t get why the player can’t see it.”

As Gauff continues her campaign for better officiating standards in tennis, the call for VAR technology gains more traction, with fans and players alike hoping to see fairer and more accurate decisions in the sport.