After dominating her first two matches in the 2024 Paris Olympics, American tennis player Coco Gauff was defeated in a third-round upset by Croatian Donna Vekić. Gauff had the first set on her racket before Vekić surged from behind to win 7-6 (7), 6-2. The match was marred by a miscall in the second set that cost Gauff a game – and arguably her Olympics. Though the umpire’s decision against Gauff was outrageous, it is certainly not an isolated incident: racism, whether directed by white players, officials, or others in tennis, is a long-standing issue in the predominantly white sport that Black players like Gauff continue to face.
When the call was made, Gauff was serving against a breakpoint in the second set, in which the two players were on-serve (meaning the set was essentially tied). The umpire called one of Vekić’s shots out and promptly rescinded his call – but Gauff had already clearly hit the ball out of play. Despite a lengthy argument on the court, the umpire refused to replay the point, instead giving it to Vekić. The umpire’s decision allowed Vekić the break that ended up deciding the second set and match.
In the press conference after the match, Gauff explained, “There’s been multiple times this year where that happened to me, where I feel like I always have to be an advocate for myself on the court,” citing unfair officiating in the sport. Her experience in tennis is certainly not an isolated one: only in 2018, a series of controversial calls against Serena Williams in the US Open similarly highlighted the mistreatment of Black tennis players – women, in particular – by umpires.
The issue stretches beyond officiating the match. Williams’ sister, Venus Williams, was famously penalized for one of her beads falling on the court. Taylor Townsend, who just recently won the French Open in women’s doubles, recently wrote an article – “You Ain’t Never Been No Little Girl” – about being refused support and financial aid as a fat Black woman in tennis. Black players are continually denied the grace and nuance afforded to their white peers on the court and in the media.
Though all of the aforementioned tennis players have found success despite racism, it is unacceptable that racism is an obstacle they have to face to begin with. Additionally, the issue of discrimination in sports extends beyond tennis and certainly beyond race. As this year’s Olympics come and go, it is important to recognize and oppose harmful language and treatment directed towards participants of all different identities. And hopefully, with time, Gauff – and all players or athletes – will be met by a court that is as ready for her as she is it.