The worrying thing Coco Gauff was heard telling her team during shock loss at the China Open
Coco Gauff suffered a shock defeat at the China Open after reporting severe physical exhaustion and an inability to focus during the match. Following the loss, she has withdrawn from the Wuhan Open to prioritize recovery.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the physical and mental toll of the professional tennis calendar on elite athletes.
As the top seeds fell in Beijing, it felt more and more likely that Coco Gauff was going to go all the way at the China Open this year.
After all, having won the event in 2024 and reached the semi-finals in her only other two appearances, the American has form at this particular tournament.
Sadly, nobody could have foreseen the collapse she would endure in just the Round of 16 this year, wilting in her latest contest against Elise Mertens, and adding yet another big name to the star-studded casualty list of this competition.
Despite having only played three matches, it has been a trying event for Coco Gauff , for many reasons.
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