"2 days ago my grandfather unfortunately passed away": Clara Tauson fights back tears after emotional Canadian Open win
WTA
Clara Tauson fought back tears in an emotional on-court interview after her quarterfinal win at the Canadian Open on Tuesday, revealing that her grandfather had passed away just two days earlier. The 22-year-old Danish star delivered a dominant 6-1, 6-4 victory over Madison Keys, but it was what came after the final point that truly moved the crowd in Montreal.
Standing on Centre Court moments after her win, the 22-year-old Danish star opened up about a devastating personal loss, her grandfather passed away just two days prior.
"Yeah, still in shock," Tauson began in her post-match on-court interview, her voice trembling as she wiped tears from her eyes. "Two days ago, my grandfather unfortunately passed away. So I really wanted to win for him today.".
She paused for a moment, visibly emotional as the crowd responded with applause and support.
Clara Tauson in tears speaking about her grandpa, who passed away 2 days ago, after beating Keys to reach Montreal SF
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 5, 2025
“2 days ago my grandfather unfortunately passed away. So I really wanted to win for him today.”
“Hopefully he’s watching.” ❤️
pic.twitter.com/i3yllwo4pF
"No, I'm definitely not done," she continued. "Yeah, I was told the day after I beat Iga yesterday. And, yeah, I really wanted to come out here and show my best tennis for him. Hopefully, he's watching.".
The candid admission added powerful context to what was already a stunning week for Tauson. Ranked around the top 20, she arrived in Montreal without the spotlight that accompanies many of the game’s big names. Yet match by match, she has been turning heads, starting with early-round wins over Lucia Bronzetti and Yuliia Starodubtseva, then shocking world number 3 Iga Swiatek in the Round of 16 in a gritty two-set battle.
Despite that, through it all, she was privately processing grief. Speaking in her post-match press conference, Tauson revealed that her grandfather had been instrumental in shaping her tennis journey.
"Yeah, he was a big supporter of my career," she said. "He used to coach me a little bit playing tennis and drove me to almost every single practice from my school.".
Tauson said she received the news the morning after her win over Swiatek elaborating by saying, "Yeah, it was tough news yesterday morning when I woke up, but I think it's for the better. He was not feeling great for a while. But yeah, always tough,".
While dealing with the emotional weight of the loss, Tauson managed to maintain incredible poise on the court against Keys. The American, a former US Open finalist and Top 10 mainstay, had no answers for the Dane’s heavy groundstrokes and confident ball striking.
Next up, Tauson will face four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in what promises to be a blockbuster semifinal on Thursday, August 7. The two have only met once before, in the Auckland final earlier this year, where Osaka was forced to retire mid-match due to injury.
Tauson’s recent form has reignited conversations in Danish tennis circles about whether she could follow in the footsteps of Caroline Wozniacki, who became World No. 1 in 2010 and won the Australian Open in 2018. Though for Tauson, the comparison is one she has long been aware of and unbothered by.
"I think I've always separated myself a bit from that, because I mean, obviously Caroline, she's one of the biggest influences in Danish tennis obviously because we're such a small country, and nobody really cares about tennis.".
She continued by saying: "But I think we're two very, very different playing styles, and I've always said that from a young age. I don't feel like I've had any kind of pressure like that. We've had some good juniors in the years after also. They never really made it here,".
As Clara Tauson prepares to face Naomi Osaka under the lights in Montreal, the stakes are higher than ever, not just in terms of rankings or career milestones, but in personal meaning.
No matter the result on Thursday, her resilience this week has shown that sport is often about more than titles; it is about heart and the stories we carry with us.
Sean Killen is a contributing journalist for both DartsNews.com and Tennisuptodate.com, where he balances his university studies with writing news updates, player features, and match reports across both sports.
Before joining the sites, Sean built experience across student and professional media. He serves as TV News Director for Cardiff University TV (CUTV), has reported for Gair Rhydd and The Cardiff Times, and produced viral news coverage that gained international attention. His reporting spans sports, breaking news, and human-interest features, and he’s worked across platforms including print, online, radio, and video.
Sean has followed the ATP and WTA tennis tours closely for years, with a growing interest in darts through the Premier League and World Championship circuits. He brings a sharp eye for storytelling, a commitment to accuracy, and a passion for making niche sports accessible to wider audiences.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.mandoist06-11-2026
- Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Having spent weeks and weeks through the years on tour, I can say with confidence that Conchita was (is) one of the very few who realize the surprising level of maturity (and sometimes lack of) which Mirra seems to have developed in such a demanding adult world of Pro-Tennis. While at the same time reminding herself (Conchita, that is) that Mirra is still young and developing mentally and physically. The general public may forget at times, or not at all realize, these modern era young athletes do not have a 'normal' Youth. It's a major sacrifice, among countless sacrifices, these athletes must make. People who blow-off that fact are ignorant and unfair when they blurt out, "They choose fame so they have to put up with the intrusions on their lives". No, they do not.mandoist05-11-2026
- Okay... someone with a camera was EAVESDROPPING on a private conversation. Shouldn't that be the point of discussion here? Regardless of the sensationalist crap by media, Pegula (and anyone) has a right to an opinion. There used to be an expectation that private conversations were respected, regardless of 'stardom' and whatever other defensive excuses media tries to shove in our faces. Boo-hoo if feelings are hurt. BTW: Having been employed at various tourney venues, etc., I can't tell you how nasty and offensive players can be when discussing their opponents and colleagues... in "private". Well, I could, but won't. I also challenge anyone to deny what Jessica said is false.mandoist05-11-2026
- Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026
- After a couple decades traveling to IIHF tourneys overseas... our family is done with it... and I will not be the only one!! Bad enough the NHL allows Ovachenko (a Putin Supporter and Campaigner) to live and play in the USA. Let's not forget the STATE SPONSORED RUSSIAN DOPING PROGRAMS still in effect today.mandoist31-10-2026
- Osaka's mental state apparently does not allow her to reach any more Quarter Finals? I mean, she doesn't really have the time for tennis with all the pre-planning that must go into her 12 year-old "fashion" goals.mandoist29-10-2026
- With her money one would think she could afford a better team of Psychiatrists?mandoist29-10-2026
