Laura Siegemund missed the big surprise against Coco Gauff at the US Open. She had to fight not only against the American, but also against the audience – in which there were plenty of celebrities.
Tennis player Laura Siegemund has after a strong performance in the US Open missed a big surprise. Before the eyes of former US President Barack Obama, the 35-year-old woman from Swabia lost in the first round to co-favorite Coco Gauff 6:3, 2:6, 4:6. The American prevailed after a gripping 2:51 hours.
After the defeat, Siegemund sharply criticized the audience. “I am very disappointed in how people have treated me“, she said, intermittently crying at the press conference. “They had no respect for me, they had no respect for good tennis, it hurts a lot.“
The spectators had booed Siegemund at times and applauded after devious first serves. “This unfair, disrespectful behavior towards a non-American, I’ve only experienced it on this court“said Siegemund. “It’s the first time I’ve cried in a press conference.“
Loss of points due to delay
Her 19-year-old opponent Gauff complained during the game that Siegemund needed longer than the allowed time to prepare between rallies. The German therefore received two warnings, which gave the world number six Gauff a point.
In addition to Obama and his wife Michelle, numerous other stars such as actor Danny DeVito, former ski star Lindsey Vonn and former world boxing champion Mike Tyson also watched the event Arthur Ashe Stadium to. “Night session on Ashe – you can’t ask for more“Siegemund enthused in an interview just before the start of the game.
Match becomes a test of nerves
She had a clear plan for the difficult task against the sixth in the world rankings. Again and again Siegemund went aggressively to the net and let her opponent run with stop balls. In the first set, Gauff seemed increasingly unnerved, after 43 minutes a backhand from the co-favorite on the title sailed out of the game and Siegemund surprisingly won the set.
The first game of the second half was a great test of nerves and lasted 26 minutes alone. Siegemund debated with the referee, Gauff used the eighth breakball in the game, took the lead and won the sentence with ease. In the third round, Siegemund gave up her serve twice and had to admit defeat despite a lot of resistance.
“I am shocked”
Siegemund, who made it into the main draw through qualification, will still be in action in women’s doubles at the US Open and has also registered for mixed. When asked if she would return to the US Open again, she replied: “I would only come back because it’s a slam, but certainly not to give people a show, if they act like that, they don’t deserve a show, I’m shocked.”