Why Tennis Sensation Coco Gauff's Entire Team Fled the Olympic Village, Leaving Her Alone

• Coco Gauff, the young tennis sensation, encountered unexpected hurdles during her first Olympic Games.
• Not only did she face a controversial defeat on the court, but her team also left her at the Olympic Village.
• The reasons behind their departure and Gauff's unique stance on staying behind reveal much about the 2024 Olympic experience.

At the 2024 Olympic Games, tennis star Coco Gauff's journey was cut short by a contentious match against Croatia's Donna Vekic. Despite a high-quality contest, a disputed line call overshadowed the game, leading to Gauff's early exit.

Before this sporting controversy, another story unfolded off the court. While Gauff's teammates chose to move to a hotel Gauff decided to remain in the Olympic Village. This choice raised questions about the village's conditions and the overall Olympic experience.

A Flag Bearer's Honor

Despite the challenges she would later face, Gauff's Olympic journey began with a significant honor. She was chosen to be the flag bearer for Team USA at the opening ceremony, an acknowledgment of her status and respect among her peers.

On July 24, she posted on X (formerly Twitter), expressing her gratitude, "I just want to [thank] my fellow team USA Olympians/athletes for voting and choosing me for this incredible honor to be the flag bearer for the opening ceremony. Thank you so much. I am incredibly honored."

Her role as flag bearer had symbolic significance, representing her achievements and the strength and unity of Team USA. It brought positive attention to her Olympic journey, setting the stage for the challenges ahead.

Following her selection as flag bearer, Gauff didn't get a great start. Days later, she revealed that her teammates had left the Olympic Village. She shared that she was the only tennis player from the US that remained.

While Gauff embraced the experience, her teammates' decision to leave sparked a debate about the quality of facilities provided at such a prestigious event. However, there were more challenges coming her way.

The Controversial Loss

Gauff's Olympic campaign ended abruptly with a 6-7, 2-6 loss to Donna Vekic on the prestigious Court Philippe-Chatrier. The match was intense, with both players showcasing their skills. However, it was marred by a controversial moment that left Gauff feeling wronged.

At 2-3, 30-40 in the second set, Gauff served into Vekic's forehand. As Gauff prepared to hit a return deep to the baseline, a linesperson called the ball out. Distracted, Gauff swung and sent the ball into the net.

The chair umpire then overturned the call, stating Vekic's ball had landed in, giving Vekic the break to go up 4-2. The tennis sensation argued that the call had hindered her swing, saying, "I feel like I'm getting cheated on constantly in this game."

Gauff's frustration was evident as she compared her situation to that of Serena Williams. She advocated for a fairer review system in tennis, suggesting the implementation of a VAR (Video Assistant Referee) system to prevent such issues in the future.

Still, this controversial match was only part of Gauff's challenging Olympic experience. She had earlier navigated another unexpected hurdle off the court.

The Olympic Village Experience

Before her exit from the competition, Gauff revealed her early Olympic experience through a candid TikTok video. The clip, which quickly went viral showcased the less-than-ideal living conditions in the brand-new $1.6 billion Olympic Village.

In the video, Gauff highlighted that ten women had to share just two bathrooms. This setup was a far cry from what many would expect for elite athletes. The situation led her teammates to relocate to a hotel for better accommodations.

The video depicted members of Team USA trying to manage their hair, makeup, and outfits in the cramped space, with Gauff captioning the post, "10 girls, two bathrooms #olympicvillage."

Fans quickly reacted, with one suggesting, "I would go to a hotel," to which Gauff responded, "All the tennis girls moved to a hotel except me. so now just 5 girls, two bathrooms."

Despite the challenging conditions, Gauff chose to stay in the village. "Well, it's only 5 girls now, so I have the room alone. [My] roommates are very chill. I love it," she explained.

She even noted that the archery team lent her a mattress topper, addressing concerns about the cardboard beds that athletes were provided. However, the conditions Gauff exposed were not unique to her team.

Similar complaints arose from other athletes. The Australian swimming team was told they could only stay in the village for 48 hours following their events before having to fly home or find their own accommodation in Paris.

Mixed Reactions from Fans

Public reaction to the living conditions and the tennis team's decision to leave the Olympic Village was mixed. Some fans sympathized with the athletes, understanding their need for comfort and proper facilities to perform at their best.

"The athletes need good facilities, especially a good mattress, in order to be in tip-top condition to perform at their best," one commenter noted. They argued that the cramped conditions and inadequate amenities could adversely affect athletes' performance.

Others, however, were less sympathetic, criticizing the athletes for what they perceived as entitlement. "Holy entitlement!!! Seriously, that's what they're complaining about. While in the military, I shared two bathrooms with 35 other guys and we all managed just fine," another user commented.

The debate extended to the broader context of professional athletes in the Olympics. Some argued that professional players, who earn substantial incomes, should not expect special treatment.

"Everyone is given the same and treated equally, but obviously some of them feel they are entitled to special treatment. Good for Coco Gauff for sticking it out in her accommodation and I hope she enjoys the camaraderie and Olympic experience," one supportive comment read.

Another comment echoed this sentiment, "All athletes should be mandated to stay in the village! How is it fair that professional millionaire US basketball and tennis players, etc., can stay in 5-star hotels while either true amateurs or low-paid athletes stay at the village?"

Conversely, there were concerns about the overall quality of the accommodations. "I expected the accommodations to not be great! I also read the food in the village isn't very nice and a lot of the athletes are hungry!" another fan remarked.

Others criticized the organizers for not providing better conditions despite the significant investment in the facilities. Another point of contention was the perceived disparity between amateur and professional athletes' experiences. "The Olympics were so much better when it was all amateur competition," lamented one user.

"Some of these athletes are clearly spoilt and feel entitled rather than accept graciously the hospitality provided. It is not just about the size of your room or bathrooms, it's about being part of the Olympic team." opined one user.

There were also strong opinions about the financial aspect. "What is more shocking is that these are professional tennis players earning hundreds of thousands of pounds or dollars. It should not be included as an Olympic sport," one user commented.

Another user shared, "I lost interest in the Olympics when they let professional paid athletes compete. Now it's even worse - it has become a woke commercial. No thanks."

One commenter expressed disappointment with the allocation of resources, "The organizers must have spent a fortune for the Opening Ceremony on global celebrities visiting, including the superstar singers performing."

"The real stars should have been the sportspeople who came here to compete but unfortunately, they are treated just as peasants and even given cardboard boxes disguised as beds to sleep. Nothing new under the French sun, I suppose!" the user added.

Overall, the reactions highlighted a deep divide in public opinion about the expectations and treatment of professional athletes in the Olympics. This discussion reflects broader tensions within the sporting community.

Controversial Prayer Moment

Back in September 2023, Gauff made headlines for another reason. After winning her first Grand Slam title at the US Open, she dropped to her knees in prayer. The moment was captured and widely shared by the media.

Gauff later explained that she was expressing gratitude for her victory and reflecting on the challenges she had overcome. "I was just saying thank you, and I understood all the tough times were just to make that moment even sweeter," she said.

However, the moment sparked controversy online, particularly after ESPN described it as Gauff "soaking it all in." This prompted responses from notable figures like Super Bowl champion Tony Dungy, who clarified that Gauff was praying, not just celebrating.

Dungy tweeted, "I hate to break this to you, SportsCenter, but Coco Gauff was not 'soaking it all in' at this moment. She was praying." He added that Gauff had been open about her religious beliefs.

This led to a broader debate about the role of prayer and religious expression in sports. Some supported Gauff's public display of faith, while others criticized it, questioning the appropriateness of attributing sporting success to divine intervention amidst global tragedies.

A football player with the Facebook username T.J. Moe also called out ESPN and wrote, "ESPN tried to say she was 'soaking it all in.' Nah, that's prayer, and it's fantastic to see a young athlete know where it all came from."

Moe's comment did not sit well with a few commenters. Some thought Moe was insinuating that God helped her win the game when other people suffered and needed his help.

One user replied, "Like the earthquake in Morocco? Over 2000 so far? Is he more interested in sports?" Another added, "Right. So while several thousand people died in Morocco, God helped someone win a game."

The controversy extended to broader discussions about faith in sports. Some argued that such displays are personal and should be respected. Others questioned the fairness and appropriateness of attributing victories to divine intervention.

Other comments questioned the broader implications of Gauff's prayer. "So, basically God hates [whoever] loses because they didn't pray hard enough?" asked one user.

Another pointed out, "More blessed than the opponent? Which she is thanking God for? I always am thankful others are less blessed than me…and who is to thank for it? God!" These comments reflected a skepticism about the idea that divine intervention plays a role in sports outcomes.

Aside from the critical comments, many supporters defended Gauff's right to express her faith openly. "It's one and the same," one user replied to the debate, suggesting that soaking in the moment and praying were not mutually exclusive.

Coco Gauff's first Olympic experience had a series of highs and lows, from her defeat on the court to her experience in the Olympic Village. Her decision to stay while her team moved out highlighted significant issues with the accommodations, sparking a broader debate about the quality of Olympic hospitality.

Looking forward, the lessons from her experience could lead to important changes in future Olympic Games, ensuring better accommodations and fairer treatment for all athletes. Gauff's resilience and determination, both on and off the court, continue to inspire, marking her as a standout figure in the world of sports.