Gauff’s frustration could be measured by her tears, although she kept a straight face and merely wiped them away as they continued to flow for the next four or five points.
In fact, she managed to break Swiatek’s serve in that game. It was the only break she managed in an otherwise one-sided match. Later, when she came into the interview room after her 6-2, 6-4 defeat, she was still unsatisfied with the whole situation.
“I think tennis is the only sport where not only we don’t have the VR system, but a lot of times the decisions are made by one person,” said Gauff. “In other sports there’s usually multiple refs in making a decision.
“I know the US Open brought some of it [in] last year. I know we used it in our doubles at one point. It’s almost ridiculous that we don’t have it. Not just because that happened to me. There are so many decisions that are made, and it sucks as a player to go back online and you see that you were completely right, and it’s, like, what does that give you in that moment?
“Also, in situations you can call for the supervisor, but there’s not much they can do from that standpoint. I definitely think as a sport we have to evolve, and we have the technology. They’re showing it on TV, so I don’t get why the player can’t see it.”
Although one felt for Gauff in what she described as an “overwhelming” situation, the destiny of this match felt predictable from the moment when she donated her opening service game via three wild forehand misses.
Gauff came in with a dreadful record against Swiatek, having lost all but one of their 11 meetings. The matchup is one she really struggles with, especially on clay, where Swiatek’s impeccable footwork and sliding movement makes her horribly difficult to hit through.
