“Athletes are just people with feelings and emotions.” Tennis Twitter comes to support Coco Gauff for not signing an autograph for a crying kid at the WTA Finals
Robert Young
Updated on March 31, 2026
A fan on social media recently called out American professional tennis player Coco Gauff for her rude behavior towards her young daughter. Coco Gauff’s rise on the pedestal of professional tennis has been the highlight of this year. The 18-years-old has managed to bag 3 doubles titles with fellow American Jessica Pegula, building up quite a massive following since her official debut. That’s not all, the American is considered to be an inspiration for many up-and-upcoming young athletes with her on-court performance.
However, one fan took offense at the fact that her daughter was denied an autograph after one of Coco’s Gauff matches. To put it simply, a fan of hers recently posted an emotional note depicting her experience of herself and her daughter with the new World No.7.
She took to her Twitter handle and noted, “The first night she tried to get her shoe or ball signed and Coco only signed 4 and walked out. My daughter was devastated and cried all the way home. I told Elyse you still have tomorrow, just be proud you got to see her play. Today my daughter made a sign. We had front-row tickets Coco had to walk to us before walking out. She looked at Elyse and didn’t sign anything and walked out.”
For context, her daughter is a big fan of Coco Gauff. She wanted the American to sign a few merchandise items for her daughter, but the 18-year-old ignored her and her daughter and walked away, leaving the girl devastated.
Social Media supports Coco Gauff
Her failings on the court translated into agonies off the court. This resulted in some rude behavior on account of the 18-year-old. However, many social media users are sympathizing with the mother and her daughter but are still supporting the French Open finalist for her behavior. Judging by the comments, while the majority of commenters extended their support towards Gauff, a few even pointed out the fact that sometimes fans put unnecessary pressure on young athletes while they are trying to figure out their strategy for the game.
Sharing a wide spectrum of reactions online, here are a few reactions that are coming in on the post above.
Was this when Coco got bageled? Most players ain't sticking around after that.
— TinaRenee 🧡♿️ (@jalenfan51) November 7, 2022
But it’s not her responsibility to do this like who would wanna sign stuff after losing 2 or 3 matches in a row… idk I think they were expecting too much here
— boring. yawning. sloppy. lazy. (@Spllomi) November 7, 2022
And this is the kind of pressure that’s put on YOUNG athletes when they are still figuring out their game. I’m sorry but they did not ask to be role models. Your daughter is 12 and coco is 18. Only 6 years separate them. She is still young and people put her on a pedestal. Sad.
— aderianu (@hoyapinoy) November 7, 2022
Here is a chance to teach her daughter to be kind.Teach her that heroes will lose matches and be very sad – so sad that we should give them space and grace. Coco trains hard every day and being sad after a bad loss does not make her a sore loser. But she will play and win again.
— seasaltandrum (@seasaltandrum) November 7, 2022
Were fans allowed to get there early and watch the practices? Because that's where you ask for autographs, not after players have a tough loss, grab their things and leave the court at 120km/hr… 😐
— Gaby S. (@gabyserrar) November 7, 2022
Athletes are not super heroes. They're just people with feelings and emotions. Maybe a good time to teach your daughter that sometimes things just don't work out. And how Coco was upset after her loss and didn't want to talk to anyone because he was upset.
— Betty Scott 𓃵 (@Betty_A_Scott) November 7, 2022
Thsts unddrstandable. Lot athletes are like that they want to focus on their game. The young mother didnt have to act like that to make it bad on coco. I wouldnt sign anything either if its gonna block out my focus
— cajuns (@cajuns2000) November 7, 2022
how about instead teaching your daughter that athletes are humans too and don’t owe you anything 😵💫
— pressie (@anisiruud) November 7, 2022
respectfully, she doesn't owe anyone anything. it sucks that that happened but it's not her responsibility. she's young herself! losing isn't easy
— trippypepper (@trippy_pepper) November 7, 2022
Some fans feel far too entitled to their celebrity's attention. Just enjoy the show and what actually made you a fan in the first place (their talent and skills)
— M.I.A (@B_canadian2) November 7, 2022
Some fans feel far too entitled to their celebrity's attention. Just enjoy the show and what actually made you a fan in the first place (their talent and skills)
— M.I.A (@B_canadian2) November 7, 2022
The kid got the outfit and front row tickets to 2 matches. And still she's disappointed? Mom shouldn't turn to emotional blackmail. Instead make the kid understand she was privileged being there already and an autograph is a bonus, not a right. Not even when you are a little girl
— Steph 🐊 (@Steph73_NL) November 7, 2022
We owe them,
So pull out your pen,
Sign an autograph,
You might make a new friend.– Chubb Rock, "Treat 'em Right"
— dk (@krk73) November 7, 2022
Imagine taking your kid to a pro sports event and not prepping them well in advance that a signature is almost certainly not going to happen and to just enjoy the play.
— Sandro Battaglia (@sbattagofficial) November 7, 2022
mom should’ve told her that coco is hurting so she’s not in the mood to mingle. She could’ve connected the experience to times when her daughter is not in greatest mood. How does she feel when she is not happy? We’ll take that & understand where coco is coming from.
— Nick Lincoln (@NickLin1777) November 7, 2022
My friend, who doesn’t watch tennis, left this past US Open as a Coco Gauff fan because of how nice she was to him. Sorry that little girl didn’t have the same experience, but you can’t expect them to be perfect every day. We’re all human. Hope the young fan learns that.
— Christian (@ItsMeCree_) November 7, 2022
As someone who plays tennis, after a loss, it's not being a sore loser to not want to see or interact with anyone, to just want to leave & be with your friends/family. It's being human. Please don't expect autographs or a cheery disposition from that kind of situation.
— Vip Malixi (@vipmalixi) November 7, 2022
I've never really seen players signing and taking pics after a loss. Players are very upsety immediately after a defeat – they don't want to talk to anyone and they hate themselves. They generally get over it quickly.
— B. Bedrossian 🐺🐊 (@BedrosBedrossi4) November 7, 2022
If Coco is upset after her loss, she is allowed to walk out and deal with her emotions privately. I understand fans want autographs, but the mom can also tell her kid that players are allowed to be sad and not have to put up a smile n face fans.
— Archana (@ArchisticMind) November 7, 2022
you think you are guaranteed an autograph or selfie w a player or something else particularly during or after a match? Do you assume front row seats two days in a row entitles you somehow?a little perspective as a adult presumably and then teach your kid something good.
— sagacious (@SagarikaRamana) November 7, 2022
Coco Gauff had an extremely disappointing end to a brilliant season. The 2022 French Open finalist has played in many WTA tournaments this year but her performance at the WTA Finals is considered to be the worst one. She was defeated comprehensively by the 2022 French Open and the US Open champion Iga Swiatek. She did show some grit and energy in her match against the Russian Daria Kasatkina. However, she could not win the match.
Also Read: Nick Kyrgios articulates about learning to deal with the “exhausting” and “negative” media scrutiny
