{"id":95132,"date":"2026-01-06T08:15:49","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T13:15:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/?p=95132"},"modified":"2026-01-05T22:33:27","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T03:33:27","slug":"coco-gauff-challenges-american-fans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/2026\/01\/06\/coco-gauff-challenges-american-fans\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cThe Worst\u201d Support in Tennis: Coco Gauff Challenges American Fans to Do Better"},"content":{"rendered":"

Coco Gauff\u2019s<\/a> new season once again started at the United Cup, where she led Team U.S.A. to a tournament victory last year while playing some of the best tennis of her career. The unique aspect of team events<\/a> like the United Cup is not only the convergence of the ATP and WTA tours, but also the shift in identity–players compete for their nations rather than just themselves, and fans rally behind national colors instead of individual stars.<\/p>\n

Across global sports, passionate national crowds have long been a defining feature. Tennis has seen similar energy as well, most recently in the electric atmospheres created by Brazilian fans during matches played by Jo\u00e3o Fonseca. Now, Gauff believes it is time for the United States to raise its level of support as well.<\/p>\n

Coco Gauff Opens Up on American Support<\/h3>\n

Speaking about the backing American tennis players receive around the world, Gauff was candid in her assessment<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like we\u2019re definitely, in tennis, the worst. I\u2019ve always said I wish our country in other places would show up throughout the world as we see smaller countries support.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her comments quickly gained traction, prompting Gauff to clarify her stance in a social media post to ensure her message was not misunderstood.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not expecting people to travel to tournaments to watch us play. But there are many tournaments that we have in America and abroad where Americans are already attending regardless of who is playing (excluding the US Open<\/a>), where people come and don\u2019t really cheer for their countrymen players\u2026. Nevertheless, I am grateful for any support, no matter how big or small it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gauff\u2019s plea resonates with a familiar reality: outside the United States, American players are often heavily outnumbered in the stands. For the defending French Open champion<\/a>, it is an area she hopes will evolve as tennis continues to grow globally.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>