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CRAWFORD MAY RETIRE WITHOUT CANELO FIGHT

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Terence Crawford Canelo Alvarez

Terence Crawford could retire if he does not get the Canelo Alvarez fight.

That is according to Eddie Hearn. Crawford is a four-weight world champion, having beaten Israil Madrimov in his last fight to win the WBA belt at 154. He is a two-weight undisputed champion, achieving it at 140 and 147. He became the first Undisputed Welterweight Champion of the four-belt era by beating Errol Spence Jr. last year.

Crawford called out Canelo after beating Madrimov. It would require him to move up two weight classes. A win makes him one of the best to do it, despite his current accomplishments. While it won’t be for undisputed after Canelo was stripped of his IBF belt, it is still a legacy-defining fight. Alvarez has only lost to Dmitry Bivol and Floyd Mayweather Jr., showing Crawford’s tough task.

Terence Crawford Canelo Alvarez

READ: Video Highlights: Floyd Mayweather replaces referee mid-fight, dominates John Gotti III in chaotic rematch

“I don’t think Crawford wants a Boots fight.  I don’t think Crawford will fight again unless he fights Canelo Alvarez because he’s got money, he’s getting on [in age]. He escaped one in the [Israil] Madrimov fight, and I don’t think he wants to fight Vergil Ortiz. I don’t think he wants to fight Boots Ennis because he’s looking at these fights and saying, ‘They’re not really legacy mega-fights. I want mega-money, mega-fights, or I’m chilled,’ and good luck to him,” Hearn said

Canelo appears to have dismissed the fight again. He was vocal about Crawford’s last fight, as he questioned whether he was suited to 154. Madrimov landed more power punches than Crawford,

while Bud’s punches were not enough to keep his opponent at bay. Crawford’s reluctance to fight the other 154-pounders suggests he wants to cash out with the Canelo fight. Alvarez said he would get no credit for beating a smaller fighter.

Canelo has also expressed his desire to face other opponents. The David Benavidez fight could still happen if the Saudis put up a big number. Alvarez has said he wanted $200 million to take the fight. The Saudis paid Tyson Fury over $100 million for the two Oleksandr Usyk fights, meaning that a similar figure could tempt Canelo into taking it. Meanwhile, Alvarez stated that he would box Dmitry Bivolagain at 175.

Canelo lost a one-sided unanimous decision in 2022. However, he admitted he had a hand issue which plagued him during the fight. The rematch never happened due to differences over the weight class. Canelo wanted to run things back at 175 to rule out claims that Bivol would be drained at 168.

As for Bivol, the boxer chased a fight at 168 to secure Canelo undisputed title at the time. Alvarez is now not undisputed, meaning a fight at 175 is more likely. Bivol boxes Artur Beterbievon October 12 for the right to become undisputed at 175. Canelo wanted to box the winner.

“Yes it’s possible. It’s the only fight I’d make one more time at 175lbs – the rematch with Bivol,” Canelo said 

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Tiger Woods’ ex-wife Elin Nordegren sent X-rated message to waitress after discovering affair

By
Elin Nordegren Tiger Woods

Elin Nordegren discovered her then-husband Tiger Woods had been unfaithful – and reportedly sent a brutal message to a waitress caught up in the scandal

Tiger Woods’ ex-wife Elin Nordegren reportedly sent a scathing message to one of his mistresses upon discovering his infidelity, an incident that is believed to have led to his notorious car crash in his front garden.

In the early hours of November 27 2009, police officers found Woods outside his home, lying on the ground next to his black Cadillac Escalade, which had smashed into a fire hydrant and then a tree.

Tiger Woods' ex-wife selling $49.5M Florida mansion

READ: “All the things I’ve been through are tough…”: Tiger Woods said he only had one life regret

It’s said that Nordegren, after finding out about her husband’s multiple affairs, chased him out of their house wielding a golf club and shattered his car windows. And a new revelation has come from Woods’ biographer James Patterson in an interview with the Daily Mail.

Patterson detailed how Nordegren discovered the truth about Woods’ extramarital activities despite his denials of allegations that were about to be made public by a magazine. She took matters into her own hands by contacting one of the women directly.

Nordegren, having checked Woods’ phone while he was asleep, called one of the women involved, stating: “I know everything,” and exchanged messages before confronting another mistress.

When the other woman inquired about the identity of the caller, Nordegren bluntly replied: “You know who this is, because you’re f****** my husband.”

After being woken up and confronted, Woods locked himself in the bathroom momentarily before dashing out of the house. He hopped into his Cadillac but crashed just 150 yards away, right outside his front garden in Windermere, Florida – a stone’s throw from Disney World and Universal Studios.

This incident marked the start of a downward spiral for Woods’ career, as he stepped back from golf and issued a statement that appeared to acknowledge his infidelity.

His statement read: “After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf. I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father and person.”

However, as this news broke, more women came forward to Nordegren and the press, including ‘an onslaught of porn stars, strippers, escorts and party girls’, leaving his then-wife feeling utterly ’embarrassed for having been so deceived’.

The couple would finalise their divorce less than a year later, in August 2010, with Nordegren securing a massive $100m (£75m) settlement and joint custody of their kids.

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BOXING

Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III fight results, highlights: ‘Money’ flexes his skills in exhibition

By
Floyd Mayweather John Gotti III

The retired former champion cruised through the event in Mexico City on Saturday night

Boxing great Floyd Mayweather Jr. rematched John Gotti III in an exhibition Saturday night in Mexico City. The fight played out exactly as many expected, and as the first meeting did, with the boxing great simply being a better fighter. Thankfully, the fight did not end in a brawl as was the case in their June 2023 meeting. Despite Mayweather clearly dominating the action, no winner was announced due to the fight being an exhibition.

Mayweather was cautious to not give Gotti opportunities to do effective work, instead leaning heavily on his jab followed by straight right hands to control the action. As the rounds ticked by, Gotti was visibly frustrated by Mayweather’s standard economic and effective approach to the “sweet science.”

Floyd Mayweather John Gotti III

JUST IN: Floyd Mayweather boxes John Gotti III soundly in exhibition rematch

Given the fight was an exhibition, featuring eight, two-minute rounds, there was not likely to be any notable result. This has been a standard approach to exhibition fights since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, with Mayweather only truly bringing his best game in bouts with Japanese kickboxers in fights that would have a result announced at the end.

Like his exhibition fights with the likes of Logan Paul, Mayweather was content to carry the fight through the scheduled time for the bout while clearly being the better of the two men in the ring. At the conclusion of the eighth round, there was no winner announced.

Mayweather and Gotti embraced after the fight, a stark contrast to the brawl that followed their first bout.

Throughout his storied professional career, Mayweather had many notable bouts with Mexican superstars. Having held an exhibition on hostile soil, Mayweather was thankful to the crowd.

“Mexico City,” Mayweather said. “Thanks for coming out.”

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BOXING

Floyd Mayweather boxes John Gotti III soundly in exhibition rematch

By
Floyd Mayweather John Gotti III

The rematch puts this surprise rivalry to bed.

The Floyd Mayweather Jr.-John Gotti III exhibition rematch didn’t have any excessive trash talk or brawl.

It was just a self-proclaimed “The Best Ever” in Mayweather serving up a boxing clinic over eight two-minute rounds to put this surprise rivalry to bed Saturday night at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, and live on DAZN.

The 47-year-old boxing legend did what he wanted in the ring from establishing the jab to piecing together combinations, touching the body and eluding Gotti III’s shots, while flashing smiles along the way.

Floyd Mayweather John Gotti III

 

JUST IN: Video Highlights: Floyd Mayweather replaces referee mid-fight, dominates John Gotti III in chaotic rematch

“We had to put on a show for the people. I want to thank Gotti for being a man of his word,” Mayweather said live on DAZN, while the two men embraced, seemingly burying any lingering bad blood.

Gotti III added: “He still got it.”

The only bit of controversy that the bout included came during the second round when the referee stopped the action to warn Mayweather about punching behind the head to which “Money” repeatedly told him to “move!” In a way, his demands came to fruition as the referee was immediately replaced.

When the action resumed, Mayweather picked up where he left off by re-establishing the jab like clockwork to little resistance as the prodding weapong split Gotti III’s jab.

Gotti III couldn’t figure Mayweather’s sweet science out and there’s no shame in that considering Mayweather’s 50-0 record signals that none of his opponents could resolve his brilliant boxing, either.

After the bout, Mayweather seemingly dismissed the idea of having an exhibition bout with another boxing legend in Julio Cesar Chavez, 62, heaping praise onto the Hall of Famer for paving his way, instead.

Here’s how the entire Mayweather vs. Gotti III rematch main card went.

Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III: Round by Rounds Updates and Highlights

Video Highlights: Floyd Mayweather replaces referee mid-fight, dominates John Gotti III in chaotic rematch

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BOXING

Video Highlights: Floyd Mayweather replaces referee mid-fight, dominates John Gotti III in chaotic rematch

By
Floyd Mayweather John Gotti III

The great Floyd Mayweather Jr. returned to the boxing ring last night (Sat., Aug. 24, 2024) LIVE on DAZN pay-per-view (PPV) from inside Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico, dominating former opponent John Gotti III in a main event rematch.

These two have a bit of history after their first fight in June 2023 ended with too much trash talk and an in-ring melee. It has taken over a year for Mayweather and Gotti to run it back, but it finally went down late Saturday night. Making things more interesting is the fact that this was the first time “Money” was fighting on Mexican soil.

JUST IN: Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III: Round by Rounds Updates and Highlights

Mayweather was toying with Gotti in the early going of the rematch and it frustrated the former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter. The two boxers kept talking trash in between rounds as the referee struggled to control the action. Not to mention the same referee made a bad call for a behind-the-head shot by Mayweather. “Money” was not happy and proceeded to protest and scream at the official. Eventually, the call was made to bring in a replacement ref to keep the fight going. It was chaos.

Mayweather did what he always does for the remainder of the fight. He allowed Gotti to get some pop shots off before firing counter punches. “Money” defended nicely, took barely any punishment, and dictated every second of the fight. Gotti was just in there sharing the ring with a legend.

Check out the video highlights below:

 

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BOXING

Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III: Round by Rounds Updates and Highlights

By
Floyd Mayweather John Gotti III

Arguably the greatest boxer the sport has ever seen returns to the ring tonight as Floyd Mayweather Jr. looks to end his surprise rivalry with John Gotti III in their exhibition rematch.

It all takes place at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City.

Their first fight ended in a sixth-round no contest last year when the referee brought a halt to the action due to excessive trash talk, culminating in a massive brawl between the fighters’ camps.

Floyd Mayweather John Gotti IIIREAD: Floyd Mayweather “Living a GTA Life” as the Boxing Legend Pulls up in Mexico with a ‘Bulletproof Tank’

Gotti III has said the two are going to have to put fighting over boxing in this rematch and here’s their chance.

Will the 47-year-old Mayweather put on a boxing clinic and make it look easy? Or will Gotti III pull off what would be a mammoth upset of the boxing legend?

We are just over a year removed from the original Mayweather-Gotti III exhibition match ending in a no-contest due to excessive trash talk that sparked a brawl between the fighters’ camps. Tonight, Mayweather and Gotti III will look to end their surprise rivalry with this exhibition rematch. Mayweather is of course arguably the greatest of all time with a pristine 50-0 record including 27 KOs. The 47-year-old legend meets Gotti III who is 2-0 with 1 KO.

John Gotti III makes his walk

He’ll have his work cut out for him going against arguably the greatest of all time in Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Here comes Floyd Mayweather Jr.

After a lengthy wait for some gamesmanship, Mayweather, draped in colors of the Mexican flag, makes his walk flanked by Los Angeles Lakers’ star Anthony Davis.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III; Round 1

There’s the bell and this one is scheduled for eight two-minute rounds. Mayweather comes out trying to assert the jab before digging to the body with a left. He then goes back to snapping that jab. Gotti III is 20 pounds heavier than “Money” Mayweather who is the more active boxer early on. Mayweather is now splitting Gotti III’s guard with the jab. There seems to be a bit of confusion of the length of the round, but the opening frame comes to an end. Even though this bout is an exhibition and not being scored, we’re going to keep score here just to give you an idea about how it’s going. (10-9 Mayweather)

Mayweather vs. Gotti III; Round 2

DAZN’s announcers report that Gotti III’s corner is already speaking up about what they feel is punching behind the head from Mayweather. Just as that’s said, the referee warns Mayweather to be mindful of rabbit punches. Mayweather responds by telling the ref to “move” repeatedly. Each fighter has a member of his corner step up onto the ring apron and WOW! We have a swapping of referees! How often do we ever see that!? The action resumes with Mayweather going back to the jab like clockwork. Gotti III is getting more active with his hands. A bizarre second round comes to a close. (10-9 Mayweather, 20-18 Mayweather)

Mayweather vs. Gotti III; Round 3

Mayweather is now measuring Gotti III up and piecing together combinations to which the latter looks to the referee. The boxing legend ducks out of harm’s way during the waning seconds. (10-9 Mayweather, 30-27 Mayweather)

Mayweather vs. Gotti III; Round 4

Mayweather’s steady stream of jabs give way to him evading a left hook from Gotti III and flashing a smile. Mayweather is touching Gotti III with light shots to the body before he gets a body shot in return. (10-9 Mayweather, 40-36 Mayweather)

Mayweather vs. Gotti III; Round 5

Gotti III’s corner is imploring their man to rough the boxing legend up and get more physical. He might have to take shots from Mayweather to land some of his own. A counter uppercut catches Gotti III off guard. Mayweather is splitting Gotti III’s guard with a peppering of jabs before ducking and eluding shots. At 47, Mayweather’s reflexes are still sharp. (10-9 Mayweather, 50-45 Mayweather)

Mayweather vs. Gotti III; Round 6

Mayweather showing a high guard, which could mean he’s going to sit on power shots this round. Gotti III immediately responds with a glancing right hook. Moments later, he adds a left hook that partially lands. But Mayweather sneaks in some body shots and smiles out of the clinch. Fans in Mexico City are asking for more action. (10-9 Mayweather, 60-54 Mayweather)

Mayweather vs. Gotti III; Round 7

Mayweather starts the round showing a willingness to fight in the pocket. He’s sitting on hard shots to the body. Gotti III peppers Mayweather to the body with a jab before “TBE” storms back with unanswered shots to the body, mixing punches in upstairs, too. (10-9 Mayweather, 70-63 Mayweather)

Mayweather vs. Gotti III; Round 8

The eighth and final round of this exhibition rematch — here we go! Gotti III should just let his hands go at this point. Instead, it’s Mayweather piecing together a combination that goes from the body, upstairs and back to the body. The action briefly is paused due to another rabbit punch warning. Gotti III is letting his hands go but it’s the final 20 seconds. Mayweather is spouting some words to Gotti III’s corner and there’s the final bell. The two men embrace, salute each other’s corners and that’s it. (10-9 Mayweather, 80-72 Mayweather)
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TENNIS

[VIDEO] “I just stopped my practice just for precaution”: False alarm for Carlos Alcaraz amid US Open practice ankle roll

By
Carlos Alcaraz US Open

Carlos Alcaraz had to stop his practice against Francisco Cerundolo and footage circulated of an ankle roll he suffered. But he was optimistic that it wouldn’t stop his chances at the US Open.

Alcaraz will face Li Tu on Tuesday and said that he will be back practicing near 100% without thinking about it tomorrow. He said that it was mere precaution that made him stop.

JUST IN: Coco Gauff: Finishing late can really ruin your tournament but US Open taking positive steps

“Well, I think it is okay. You know, I just stopped my practice just for precaution. I didn’t feel comfortable enough to keep practicing just in case if everything is going to be worse,” said Alcaraz. “But, you know, after a few hours later, I’m still feeling good, you know, my feet, so tomorrow I will try to be practicing again 100% without thinking about it, but today I’ll take care about it.”

He also was asked about the Olympic Games disappointment and said that it was difficult to deal with but is looking forward to another chance in four years in LA.
“Well, this is one of the most important final of my career, of my life. I know that the Olympic Games is every four years, so I don’t know if I’m gonna have another chance to win the gold. I’m gonna fight for it, for sure, the next Olympic Games.
“But it was a difficult moment to deal for me, you know, losing the gold medal in a really close match that I had opportunities.
“But, you know, in front of me, I had a really good player that he was fighting for the same thing as me, and he deserved it. So days after the Olympics was, okay, I realize that I won the silver medal, it was a great achievement for me that I have to be proud of. You know, I try to keep going, try to learn about this match.
“Just the next finals or the next important matches of my career I’m gonna deal in a different way or a better way than I did in Olympics. Well, I realize that it was an important moment of my life.”
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TENNIS

Coco Gauff: Finishing late can really ruin your tournament but US Open taking positive steps

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Coco Gauff US Open

Coco Gauff believes that a really late finish can ruin a Grand Slam run for a player although she hasn’t experienced one herself.

She added that men are much more likely to endure a late finish given that they play five-setters.

The US Open has had quite a few really late finishes notably in 2022 when Carlos Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner in a five-set quarter-final that lasted more than five hours and concluded at 2:50 am, the latest finish in tournament history.

El sueño de Cori Gauff en el Miami Open 2024

READ: Scars Still Fresh for Coco Gauff as She Reacts to the US Open Implementing Latest Technology Demanded by Her

“Yeah, so I’ve never actually had a super late finish just because I’ve just been lucky that either the match will go super fast or anything like that.

“But obviously I do think that finishing late can really ruin your tournament, especially, like, on the guys’ side when they, you know, if they go on at, like, 11:00 or 12:00, you know, max maybe the longest a women’s match will go two hours or three hours, but men’s can go, like, five.”

The US Open has announced that they would not be enforcing a curfew during this year’s competition, but they have decided to loosen their rules on match scheduling.

The Arthur Ashe evening session starts at 19:00 local time, and the tournament this year will follow suit.

The USTA has, however, officially said that in the event that matches are not underway by 11:15 p.m., the tournament referee will have greater discretion in deciding whether to transfer them to different courts for as long as this is feasible.

Gauff believes that is a step in the right direction from the US Open.

“I think for me I think I heard US Open this year if you’re going to start after 11:00 they’re going to move your court. I think that’s a good initiative to start. You may win that match that day but your sleep schedule and everything is completely messed up for the rest of the tournament. So it does put that person at a disadvantage,” Gauff reasoned.

“So I think right now with that new policy, I think that’s the best way to address it. I mean, we won’t know until we test a lot of things, but I think this is a good start.”

Gauff said that she doesn’t feel much different returning to Flushing Meadows as the reigning champion and her on-site preparation has felt the same.

“Not really, because I feel like I was in a crazy position last year where there was a lot surrounding me, like, before this, even before I was a Grand Slam champion,” She said when asked how if felt to come back as a winner.

“So, you know, I had basically the same busy pre-week this week as I had last year pre-week of US Open.

“So I think that’s where it was a little bit easier coming into all of this as a Grand Slam champion because of, like, the gradual rise I’ve had in this sport when it came to the amount of attention I was getting.

“Honestly, this week hasn’t been much different, other than people saying I’m the defending champion, but other than that, I feel like it’s been the same amount of attention and same amount of sponsor commitments and all that.”

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GOLF

“All the things I’ve been through are tough…”: Tiger Woods said he only had one life regret

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Tiger Woods PGA Tour

Despite an illustrious career in golf which many pro players can only dream of, Tiger Woods admitted he has one regret about his journey in particular.

Tiger Woods claimed he has just one regret in his life. From a prestigious 28-year pro golf career, the 48-year-old Californian has racked up almost every accolade since turning pro back in 1996 at the tender age of 20, winning 15 majors and 82 PGA Tour events.

And despite becoming the world’s youngest-ever Masters winner in 1997 after outperforming the likes of Tom Kite, Tommy Tolles and Tom Watson with a total score of -18, Woods said that he rues turning pro when he did. When probed on the toughest moment of his life by CBS Sports, the legend of the game said: “The only regret I have in life is not spending another year at Stanford, and I wish I would’ve had one more year.”

Tiger Woods, Nike Golf part ways; GOAT hints at 'next chapter' - SBNation.com

READ: Scottie Scheffler shares injury update after wincing in pain at BMW Championship

The interviewer then probed: “Of all the things that’s happened to you?” To which Woods responded: “All the things and that’s all.” Arguably one of Woods’ biggest regrets in his lifetime would be his infidelity with ex-wife Elin Nordegren, with the pro having secret affairs with as many as 16 women during his marriage.

Through his affairs, Woods’ sponsorship deals with the likes of Nike, Gatorade and Gillette disappeared, with the star admitting: “I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did was not acceptable,” after his actions came to light.

With all things considered, Woods was probed further in his interview with CBS with: “Everything?” Woods continued: “All the things I’ve been through are tough, yes. They’ve been tough, but they’ve been great for me, but I wish I would’ve gone one more year at Stanford.”

Woods enrolled at the prestigious university in 1994 through a golf scholarship, winning the 40th Annual William H. Tucker Invitational in the September.

He chose economics for his major while studying over the next two years, while tearing it up on the golf courses with Stanford Men’s Golf team. Despite spending just two years at the university, Woods racked up an impressive 11 tournament wins – tying the record for most tournaments taken.

Speaking about his time at Stanford, Woods said: “I had such a great time playing golf at Stanford. Just all the practicing, playing and qualifying. It was always fun being around each other. What sets Stanford apart is the combination of quality athletics with an unmatched educational experience.

“Our Provost was Condeleeza Rice. My economics teacher was one of President Clinton’s advisors. You don’t see that at most schools. It was so intellectually stimulating to be challenged all the time. There was no way I could compete against some of those people. They were so smart. One kid had a photographic memory, and another built a computer from scratch.”

He added: “I really enjoyed being stimulated by the students and professors. Some were geniuses and others were Olympic athletes. It’s amazing how well-rounded they are. That’s what’s so cool about it. You must soak up that experience. It was one of the best times in my life.”

Despite regretting his decision to leave Stanford prematurely, the move ultimately paid off in the long run as Woods carved an incredible pro career after his initial Masters win of 1997. Fast forward to 2024 and the golfing great has four PGA Championships to his name, five Masters wins, three US Opens and three Open Championships.

He also has 82 PGA Tour wins in total, and has spent a whopping 683 weeks at World No.1 – more than any other pro golfer in history. While his last major win came in the form of his fifth Masters in 2019 – pipping the likes of Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson by a single stroke – Woods has shown no signs of slowing down, appearing at all four majors this year, albeit only making the cut at the Masters at Augusta in April.

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Scars Still Fresh for Coco Gauff as She Reacts to the US Open Implementing Latest Technology Demanded by Her

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Coco Gauff US Open

Controversies on the tennis court? Oh, they’re as old as the game itself! But nothing frustrates a player more than a dubious call from the umpire, especially when there’s no way to challenge it.

Just ask Coco Gauff, who’s had her fair share of these gut-wrenching moments. But this time, she can breathe a sigh of relief. The US Open organizers have decided to roll out the VAR system more extensively, meaning those questionable calls might finally have some backup.

The American tennis sensation engaged in a pre-tournament presser, ahead of her campaign at the US Open. She expressed her happiness over the expansion of the Video Assistant Review (VAR) technology, which was initially introduced in the previous edition of the tournament.

Coco Gauff beats Serena Williams' 20-year record as first US teen to enter US Open semi-finals

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Speaking in the interview, Gauff highlighted the fact that many other sports, despite not being as financially backed as tennis, have a video review system. “I definitely think that, you know, it should be, especially at the slams, it should be here and 1000 tournaments.” While Gauff acknowledged that the facility should be present in every tournament, she shared that it should begin with important events like the slam.

“US Open had it last year. I didn’t have to use it. Hopefully I won’t have to use it this year, but I think it’s a great thing.” Continuing further, she reflected upon the agony that players go through in the absence of such technologies. “You know, the worst is when you get apologized to afterwards, and it’s kind of just like, thanks, but, you know, what is that going to do for me now? I think it’ll just hold everybody accountable.”  For the unversed, the US Open organizers have decided to extend the facility to eight courts this season.

This development is poised to enhance the fairness of the competition. It would also minimize the frustration of players that emerge from controversial umpiring decisions. Gauff, meanwhile, has been at the center of such controversies time and again. In this year’s French Open, Coco Gauff expressed her anger over the absence of a video review system in tennis.

In the second set of the match, Iga Swiatek’s serve was called out just as Gauff hit her return long. But when the umpire overruled the call and awarded the point to Swiatek, Gauff furiously insisted that she hit her return after the ball had already been called out. “I think tennis is the only sport where not only we don’t have the VR system, but a lot of times the decisions are made by one person,” she said after the match. Similar scenes unfolded for her at the Paris Olympics.

Gauff faced Croatia’s Donna Vekic in the third round of the Paris Olympics. A shot by Vekic in the second set was called out by the line umpire. Coco perceived that she won the point and hit the ball out herself. The American was made to suffer with Vekic being awarded the point. The 20-year-old was seen engaging in a heated debate with the umpire and crying her heart out. “This isn’t fair, I’ve been cheated,” she said. But with the US Open once again introducing the system, Gauff definitely can be less worried. However, she is not the only player to have demanded such changes in the sport.

The controversial call saga from umpires was witnessed in the recently concluded Cincinnati Masters as well. During the R16 match Felix Auger-Aliassime hit a shot, which touched the court before Jack Draper attempted his volley. Despite Draper’s return touching his side of the court first, the umpire missed noticing it and awarded the point to Draper, ultimately leading to Aliassime’s exit from the tournament. This seemed to make Nole furious.

Taking to his X, Novak Djokovic wrote, “It’s embarrassing that we don’t have video replay of these kind of situations on the court. What’s even more ridiculous is that we don’t have the rule in place that would allow chair umpires to change the original call based on the video review that happens off the court.” 

The tennis community has resonated with the demand for VRS time and again. With the US Open actually implementing it, it would be interesting to see how much can Coco Gauff and other players benefit out of it.

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