Jelena Dokic has defended Coco Gauff after the young star faced backlash for smashing racquets following her Australian Open quarter-final defeat.
Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina defeated American world No.3 Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-2 in a 59-minute match on Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday night.
Gauff entered the match as the favourite but struggled throughout, with her frustration evident during a point where she unexpectedly switched racquets and attempted a shot with her left hand.
While the 21-year-old largely maintained her composure on court and was gracious towards Svitolina, she later vented her frustration away from the main arena, smashing racquets after believing she was out of view of cameras.
Australian tennis great Jelena Dokic said the incident highlighted the pressures elite players face, particularly at a young age.
“It’s difficult, because these are the things that you sometimes don’t see, behind the scenes, that we go through,” Dokic told Stan Sport’s Grand Slam Daily.
“And having such a tough day, and being under so much pressure and expectation, and so many times you feel like you’ve got to let it out somewhere.”
Dokic pointed to Gauff had largely kept her composure during the match and was gracious towards the other player.
“What I love with Coco though is what she said. ‘I actually broke my racquets on court at Roland-Garros a couple of years ago, and I said that I will never do that on court again because I really want to be a great role model for the younger generation and for the kids watching.'”
“And that says so much about her and what she wants to stand for, and the way that she carries herself. So she wanted to do that, kind of off the court, and I understand that part as well.”
The Australian Open’s broadcast coverage is shared across Nine and Stan, with cameras capturing much of the tournament’s behind-the-scenes activity.
Dokic, who rose to world No.4 as a teenager while enduring an abusive upbringing under her father-coach, said she understood the emotional toll of competing under constant scrutiny.
“It’s just tough to do it (be in the constant spotlight) as a 21-year-old with the whole world watching,” she said.
“But it brings this human aspect to it I think and the vulnerability that I think we need to respect as well. Because it is so hard with what athletes go through: pressure, expectation in an individual sport and I completely get it.
“It’s a tough one to be in because our sport is so big, it’s such a global sport, growing every year, massively. And that does come with broadcasters and all eyes being on you as well, so it’s a fine line for everyone, for the tournament, for the broadcasters, for the players.”
Dokic said the incident should not define Gauff or detract from her reputation.
“But I don’t think this takes anything away from who Coco Gauff is.
“She’s an amazing player, but an amazing person as well… Coco showed a bit of that human side of us that we maybe don’t see on the court.”
Image: Stan/ Nine
