Coco Gauff was left furious after her horrific display in the
Australian Open quarter-final, losing 6-1, 6-2 to Elina Svitolina as her serving and forehand issues were once again exposed. She let off some steam behind the scenes, with cameras catching the 21-year-old smashing her racket on the floor.
It was not to be Gauff's day, who could not find a high enough level to compete with Svitolina, who comprehensively ran away with it to confirm a fourth Grand Slam semi-final, a first at Melbourne Park, and a return to the top 10.
She did not have any trouble fending off a distinctively average Gauff, who hit a measly three winners compared to 26 unforced errors, a dreadful return for the two-time Grand Slam champion who was unable to find anything on Rod Laver Arena today.
As Svitolina was completing a routine pre-match interview in front of the surprised spectators, Gauff was walking off away from the court and fans in the facilities of Melbourne Park. She found a quiet spot before letting out some much-needed steam, with her racket falling victim. She
smashed it multiple times into the ground in absolute fury for the performance she displayed.
Her troubles on court have been well documented in recent times, but that has not stopped her from competing against the best players in the world and even beating them. However, today seemed a step too far for Gauff, who will go back to the drawing board in the hunt for a solution for her current issues.
For Svitolina, she remains unbeaten in 2026, and will hunt for a first Grand Slam final appearance with the world number one and two-time champion Aryna Sabalenka standing in her way.