Stop with the nonsense” – Serena Williams’ ex-coach shuts down claims of Coco Gauff intentionally ‘tanking’ to eliminate Iga Swiatek from…

The tennis world was recently stirred by controversy following suggestions that American rising star Coco Gauff intentionally underperformed in her WTA Finals match against Iga Swiatek, with the aim of eliminating the Polish World No. 1 from contention. However, these allegations were quickly dismissed by none other than Gauff’s ex-coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, who called the claims “nonsense.”

Mouratoglou, a highly respected figure in tennis who coached Serena Williams for over a decade, voiced his strong disapproval of the accusations on social media. In a direct response to critics who speculated that Gauff had “tanked” the match, Mouratoglou stated, “Stop with the nonsense. Coco Gauff is a fierce competitor who would never intentionally lose to anyone.” His remarks came after Gauff’s loss to Swiatek, which many believed allowed the Polish star to advance further in the tournament.

The suggestion that Gauff, who had already secured her spot in the semifinals, would deliberately sabotage her performance to affect Swiatek’s chances of progression was met with outrage from her supporters. Critics argued that such a strategy was not only unethical but also entirely out of character for a player with Gauff’s professional demeanor and reputation.

Mouratoglou’s statement emphasized the integrity of top-level athletes like Gauff, who train tirelessly to perform at their best, regardless of the outcome. “In tennis, players are not in control of who benefits from their losses,” he explained, reaffirming that every match is played with the intention of winning, regardless of the broader implications in the tournament’s context.

While Gauff’s defeat to Swiatek did contribute to the Polish star’s path to the semifinals, it was far from an intentional act on Gauff’s part. The match ended with a 6-3, 6-0 victory for Swiatek, who showcased her typical dominant form.

Both players have immense respect for one another, and it is clear that Gauff, at 20, is focused on her own growth and success in the sport, not on influencing the outcomes of others. As Mouratoglou rightly put it, it’s time to put those baseless claims to rest.