Coco Gauff has moved to clarify comments she made about American tennis fans overseas, after suggesting they were the 'worst' at supporting their players abroad. The world No 4 made the initial remarks during a press conference at the United Cup in Perth, where she opened her 2026 season.
Gauff said of American fans: 'I feel like we're definitely in the tennis department the worst when it comes to that.' The 21-year-old lost her opening singles match 6-1, 6-7 (3), 6-0 to world No 42 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro before clarifying her stance on social media.
Writing on X, Gauff explained: 'I'm going to clarify because people are dragging this out of context. I’m 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 where people come and don’t really cheer for their countrymen.'
She added that her initial comments were a response to a question and an observation about how fans from smaller countries are more passionate. 'I was asked and it was simply an observation I noticed about other countries vs. mine that is all. Nevertheless I am grateful for any support no matter how big or small it is.'
Gauff's teammate Taylor Fritz, who was sitting beside her during the press conference, also defended her on X, saying people were taking her words 'in the worst possible way' and that she meant no disrespect to US fans. Fritz noted that some other countries have 'a really insane sports culture' but appreciated every American fan abroad.
The United States progressed to the quarter-finals after wins over Spain and Argentina, with Gauff bouncing back to win her mixed doubles match alongside Christian Harrison.
