"He's completely wrong, he's lying about being wrong": Andy Roddick backs Coco Gauff after umpire issue in Dubai

Former US Open champion Andy Roddick has said that the chair umpire was "completely wrong" as he backed Coco Gauff during her confrontation with Pierre Bacchi in Dubai.

Gauff had lost the first set of her second round match 2-6 against Karolina Pliskova, but fought back to break in the second. With the score at 4-2, the reigning US Open champion was on the end of a controversial call when despite successfully reviewing a serve shot that was initially called out, umpire Bacchi ordered the point to be replayed.

Read also

Coco Gauff named as one of TIME Magazine's Women of the Year for 2024

"I wish I could go back to not knowing how much is going away": Coco Gauff admits frustration in knowing extent of how much tax she pays

This led to a discussion between Gauff and the umpire that lasted several minutes in which the American repeatedly requested a supervisor - only to be denied - and the clip spread across social media. Roddick had his say and defended his compatriot, saying on X: "This is an absurd exchange for this umpire. 1. He’s completely wrong 2. He’s lying about being wrong. 3. She must have simply said 10 plus times, I’d like the supervisor. That’s not a judgement call. He simply needed to honor that normal request and call the supervisor."

Gauff eventually gave up in her attempts but was able to refocus and come through with a 2-6 6-4 6-3 victory. The number three seed will now face the qualifier Anna Kalinskaya in the quarter final.