Why Coco Gauff wants more from U.S. tennis fans around the world as season begins
The 2026 tennis season commenced across Australia and New Zealand, marked by team competition at the United Cup and early-tuneup events. The opening week featured a plea from a top American star, a controversial celebration, and concerning injury trends emerging from the off-season.
Coco Gauff's Call for Louder American Support
World No. 4 Coco Gauff used her platform at the United Cup to issue a pointed request to American tennis fans abroad, wishing for more visible and passionate support akin to that shown by fans from smaller nations. "I feel like we're definitely, in the tennis department, the worst," she remarked, noting the lack of "red, white and blue" in international crowds.
Her comments sparked online debate, with some fans citing the prohibitive cost of travel to Australia. Gauff later clarified on social media that her remarks were directed at American expatriates or travelers already attending events, encouraging them to be more vocally supportive in the vein of other national fanbases. "I was just speaking from my perspective... it was simply an observation," she wrote. Despite rallying chants during her match, Gauff ultimately fell to Spain's Jéssica Bouzas Maneiro.
Taylor Fritz's Celebration Sparks Etiquette Debate
Taylor Fritz's early-season struggles were compounded by a celebration that drew significant criticism. During a match against Argentina's Sebastián Báez, the American celebrated a break point by mimicking the "too small" gesture popularized in the NBA—a move considered disrespectful by many given the significant height difference between the 6'5" Fritz and the 5'7" Báez.
The incident highlighted tennis's ongoing tension between encouraging fierce competitiveness and maintaining traditional codes of on-court decorum. Fritz, who later revealed he is managing knee tendinopathy, ultimately lost the match, with the celebration becoming a focal point of post-match discussion.
Alarming Injury Trends After the Off-Season
A concerning pattern has emerged as players return to competition: numerous top names are already managing or succumbing to injuries. Beyond Fritz's knee, Elena Rybakina confirmed she is "struggling a bit with my foot," Emma Raducanu missed a United Cup match with a foot issue, and João Fonseca withdrew from Brisbane with a back injury.
This wave of physical problems so soon after a dedicated rest and training period is striking. It suggests many players spent their off-seasons focused more on rehabilitation and injury prevention than on skill development, raising questions about the sustainability of the sport's grueling 11-month calendar. As Tim Henman noted regarding Raducanu, the priority for some has been simply "to be out on the practice court and moving," not peak performance.
Swiss Success and a Rulebook Blunder
The Swiss United Cup team shone early, led by two players at opposite career stages. Belinda Bencic, continuing her impressive post-pregnancy comeback, scored a decisive win over world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini. Meanwhile, 40-year-old Stan Wawrinka, in his farewell season, displayed masterful tactical play in a tight three-set loss to Italy's Flavio Cobolli.
The match featured a notable rules gaffe by Cobolli. While serving for the first set, a ball fell from his pocket mid-point. Instead of continuing play—which would have prompted a let call from the chair umpire—Cobolli stopped the point and called a hindrance on himself, an illegal move that cost him the point. He recovered to win the match, but the moment served as a peculiar highlight in a week of intense early-season competition.
