"I felt like I was at an American football game" Says Gauff following doubles loss
WTA
Coco Gauff competed in her second 2022 French Open final in the women's doubles, but the atmosphere was very different from her singles final against Iga Swiatek.
The support from the fans on Court Philippe-Chatrier was very balanced for the singles final. Neither Gauff nor Swiatek are local players, meaning most of the crowd was neutral during Swiatek's victory over the Americans.
However, the situation was very different for the doubles final. Gauff and her partner Jessica Pegula took on the French duo of Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic, who unsurprisingly received vociferous backing from the crowd throughout the match.
Unfortunately for Gauff, she suffered more final disappointment against Garcia and Mladenovic. Despite taking the first set, the American pair went on to lose the match 6-2, 3-6, 2-6.
The actions of the French crowd can sometimes anger players, such as when they booed Alize Cornet. But Gauff did not hold any resentment toward the Parisian spectators. In fact, she thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere.
"Honestly, I was telling Jessica at the changeovers, this was probably one of the most fun atmospheres I’ve ever played in. The drums were pretty cool, I felt like I was at an American football game. Hopefully we’ll be back next year."
American football is a great comparison to make from Gauff. Those matches also feature loud and passionate home atmospheres, and the fans at Roland-Garros do a great job of providing something similar.
Gauff also admired her opponents in the doubles final. Although the 18-year-old was undoubtedly disappointed to lose, she hopes to meet Garcia and Mladenovic in another Grand Slam final. Hopefully, that can happen soon since the final in Paris was thoroughly entertaining.
"Today wasn’t easy. I hope we can meet in another final, maybe even at Wimbledon. That would be pretty cool."
