Australian Open crowd’s feelings clear on Coco Gauff ‘respect’ demand | Tennis | Sport

Coco Gauff called out a fan in an on-court interview for heckling her Australian Open third-round opponent, Hailey Baptiste, during their match. The crowd at Margaret Court Arena applauded midway through her comments made in the aftermath of their three-set match, which Gauff won 3-6, 6-0, 6-3.

Gauff said: “Hailey’s a great competitor, so to the guy who made that comment. We’re all doing our best out here. I understand you’re trying to root for me, but let’s be respectful. We’re all trying our best.”

She was full of praise for her fellow American, who became the first player to win a set against her in Melbourne this year. Gauff said: “Honestly, I didn’t change too much [to turnaround the match].

“I think I tried to get more first serves in, but she played so well in the first set, maybe a couple points go my way, could be a different outcome. But I wasn’t too upset, I just said, if she plays like this the whole match, and I can’t raise my level, then great job to her, but I was able to raise my level, and I’m happy with how I mentally stayed calm through that.”