Coco Gauff revealed that she experienced a "mini car crash" just before her French Open victory over Taylor Townsend. The American world number three secured a 6-4, 6-0 win against her compatriot at Roland Garros, but the journey to court was far from straightforward.
Accident Details
Speaking to TNT Sports, Gauff explained that the incident occurred when a barrier pole on the road was not fully lowered. "The police told the driver to go, and the pole was still there, so we ran into it," she said. "You felt a little impact – I spilt my juice all over the car!" Despite the collision, Gauff initially thought they could continue, but the car was not drivable. They then took a taxi to Stade Jean-Bouin before switching to a tournament vehicle.
Further Drama
The 22-year-old defending champion added that just before stepping onto the court, her dress got stuck, requiring her physio to help her remove it in the bathroom. "It was an eventful day," she commented. "But I feel like whenever that happens, it lets you not think about the match too much. I'm just happy to be here in one piece."
Match Performance
Despite the distractions, Gauff cruised through the first round. She admitted feeling nervous initially but quickly found her rhythm. "I have so many great memories on this court. I was a little nervous going out, that showed a bit, but I was able to find my calm," she said.
Gauff will now face Mayar Sherif in the second round as she aims for back-to-back titles. The tournament has been affected by extreme heat, with Gauff using a court-side cooler for her rackets. Meanwhile, rival Aryna Sabalenka plans to use the conditions to her advantage. "That's the most enjoyable part of the game right now – that I'm able to come to the net to play points there. I'm super-proud that I was able to improve that part of the game," Sabalenka said. "Let's hope that this is the perfect condition for me. It suits my game really well."
