Third-seeded Coco Gauff recovered from losing her first set of the year, rallying Sunday to defeat Belinda Bencic of Switzerland and advance to the quarterfinals at the Australian Open.
But what she did after winning may have been even more timely.
In what’s become an unofficial tradition after winning their matches, tennis players are often handed a marker to write a message on the lens of a courtside camera. Gauff paused for a moment, then took the opportunity to address the United States’ ban of social media site TikTok that went into effect at midnight back home.
‘RIP TikTok USA,’ she wrote, adding a picture of a broken heart.
Gauff, who has more than 750,000 followers on TikTok, was asked about her reaction to the ban in her postmatch press conference.
‘I could not access it after my match. I honestly thought I would be able to get away with it because I was in Australia,’ she said. ‘Hopefully it comes back. … I love TikTok. It’s like an escape. I honestly do that before matches. I guess it will force me to read books more – be more of a productive human, probably. Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise.’
Gauff will next face 11th seed Paula Badosa of Spain, with the winner potentially taking on two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka – a 6-1 6-2 victor over teenager Mirra Andreeva.
Classic quarterfinal: Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz
Novak Djokovic charged into the Australian Open quarterfinals on Sunday, setting up a showdown with a familiar foe in the quarterfinals.
But before looking ahead to his upcoming match against Carlos Alcaraz, the seventh-seeded Serb took aim at the tournament’s official broadcaster.
Djokovic declined an on-court interview and curtly thanked the crowd after his 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4) thumping of Jiri Lehecka. He was miffed at Channel Nine reporter Tony Jones, who had mocked him and his fans two days earlier.
‘Novak he’s over-rated, Novak’s a has-been. Novak kick him out. Oh, I’m glad they (his supporters) can’t hear me,’ Jones had said.
Djokovic said he would continue his media boycott until he receives an apology from Jones.
‘Since they’re official broadcasters, I chose not to give interviews for Channel Nine,’ Djokovic told reporters. ‘If you guys want to fine me for not giving an on-court interview, that’s okay. I’ll accept that, because this is something that needs to be done. That’s all there is to it.’
Australian Open Day 8 results
Men’s singles
7-Novak Djokovic (SRB) beat 24-Jiri Lehecka (CZE) 6-3 6-4 7-6(4)
3-Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) beat 15-Jack Draper (GBR) 7-5 6-1 (Retired)
12-Tommy Paul (USA) beat Alejandro Davidovich 6-1 6-1 6-1 Fokina (ESP)
2-Alexander Zverev (DEU) beat 14-Ugo Humbert (FRA) 6-1 2-6 6-3 6-2
Women’s singles
1-Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) beat 14-Mirra Andreeva (RUS) 6-1 6-2
27-Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) beat 18-Donna Vekic (HRV) 7-6(0) 6-0
3-Coco Gauff (USA) beat Belinda Bencic (CHE) 5-7 6-2 6-1
11-Paula Badosa (ESP) beat Olga Danilovic (SRB) 6-1 7-6(2)
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
