Coco Gauff Hits Herself With Racket Twice During Italian Open Match

Coco Gauff struck herself on the head with her racket twice during her third-round match against Solana Sierra at the Italian Open on Saturday. The incidents occurred after the American third seed was broken while level at 5-5 in the first set and again after Sierra took the set 7-5. Gauff made her way to the changeover following the second occurrence.

The 22-year-old world number four went on to win the second set 6-0 in 30 minutes, dropping only four points on her own serve. Sierra built a 3-0 lead in the deciding set by breaking Gauff twice. Gauff then won five games in a row to put herself in position to serve for the match.

Sierra saved a match point and broke back, but Gauff closed out a 5-7, 6-0, 6-4 victory after two hours and 10 minutes. British tennis player and commentator Eden Silva said that despite Gauff's improved play she appeared distinctly displeased with herself even after taking the second set to love.

Fellow commentator Mark Valledy suggested the third seed's perfectionist nature was at the heart of her visible discontent.

"I think you hit the nail on the head, that's what it is, I think she's unhappy with her level," Valledy remarked. "Such a perfectionist, you imagine, to reach this sort of standard. " Gauff holds a 21-8 record this season with a runner-up finish at the Miami Open as her best result.

The two-time Grand Slam champion is preparing to defend her Roland Garros title later this month. She has accumulated nearly half her ranking points from last year's clay court swing. Prior to the Italian Open, Gauff said she learned from her experience defending her 2024 US Open title, when she exited in the fourth round.

"I learned from going into the US Open as defending champion, so I'm hoping this time I'm a little bit more chill," she said.