Gauff Breaks Down in Tears after Australian Open Exit

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 22, 2023 Coco Gauff of the US during a press conference after losing her fourth round match against Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko REUTERS/Loren Elliott
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 22, 2023 Coco Gauff of the US during a press conference after losing her fourth round match against Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko REUTERS/Loren Elliott
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Gauff Breaks Down in Tears after Australian Open Exit

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 22, 2023 Coco Gauff of the US during a press conference after losing her fourth round match against Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko REUTERS/Loren Elliott
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 22, 2023 Coco Gauff of the US during a press conference after losing her fourth round match against Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko REUTERS/Loren Elliott

Coco Gauff broke down in tears during an emotional press conference following her surprise exit from the Australian Open at the last-16 stage on Sunday.

The 18-year-old usually cuts a composed figure under the glare of the world's media, despite her tender age.

But it all became too much when asked about the frustration she felt during her 7-5, 6-3 fourth-round defeat to Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion.

"I worked really hard and I felt really good coming into the tournament, and I still feel good," Gauff told reporters.

"I still feel like I've improved a lot. But, you know, when you play a player like her and she plays really well, it's like there's nothing you can do."

The prodigiously talented American, who must now wait at least a bit longer for a first major crown, added: "I feel like today I would say nothing because every match you play a part in, but I feel like it was rough.

"So it's a little bit frustrating on that part,” AFP quoted her as saying.

Her voice suddenly began to crack, the tears flowed and the teenager was offered a tissue, before saying: "I'm OK. We can keep going."

Gauff gathered herself to say she would now be supporting her doubles partner Jessica Pegula, who was later playing another former French Open champion, Barbora Krejcikova, for a place in the last eight.

"I hope that she continues well in the tournament now that I'm out," Gauff smiled. "I hope she wins it."

Gauff and Pegula, the women's doubles second seeds, will play for a place in the quarter-finals Monday against Miyu Kato of Japan and Aldila Sutjiadi of Indonesia.

"I'm excited to play doubles. I think it gives me a chance to still be around and I definitely enjoy just competing in general," said Gauff.

"So I think it will help me (get over defeat), just let me play with some frustration.

"I think doubles has taught me how to play, after losing, how to play with frustration, and that's what I felt like today. I was frustrated."



Brazilian Club Botafogo Hires Son of Carlo Ancelotti as Its Manager

Real Madrid's assistant coach Davide Ancelotti waits for the start of a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Alaves, at the Mendizorroza stadium in Vitoria, Spain, April 13, 2025. (AP)
Real Madrid's assistant coach Davide Ancelotti waits for the start of a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Alaves, at the Mendizorroza stadium in Vitoria, Spain, April 13, 2025. (AP)
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Brazilian Club Botafogo Hires Son of Carlo Ancelotti as Its Manager

Real Madrid's assistant coach Davide Ancelotti waits for the start of a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Alaves, at the Mendizorroza stadium in Vitoria, Spain, April 13, 2025. (AP)
Real Madrid's assistant coach Davide Ancelotti waits for the start of a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Alaves, at the Mendizorroza stadium in Vitoria, Spain, April 13, 2025. (AP)

Brazilian club Botafogo has hired the son of Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti as its new manager.

The 35-year-old Davide Ancelotti was handed a contract through 2026 to take up his first full-time coaching job after Botafogo owner John Textor fired Renato Paiva following the team’s round-of-16 elimination at the Club World Cup.

The Italian has worked for more than a decade alongside his father in different roles at Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid. He is also part of Ancelotti's staff at Brazil.

Botafogo is the defending Brazilian and Copa Libertadores champion. Textor recently said he wanted his team to adopt a more attacking style of play.

Brazil's soccer confederation said in a statement that Davide Ancelotti's deal with Botafogo allows him to continue working with the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The younger Ancelotti is expected to make his debut on Saturday against Vasco da Gama in a Brazilian league match.