ROME — American tennis sensation Coco Gauff found herself in an unusual situation during her third-round match at the Italian Open, serving to an empty court while her opponent, Qinwen Zheng, was off-court retrieving a new racket. The bizarre moment quickly went viral, sparking debates about sportsmanship and the rules of tennis.
The incident occurred during the second set of their closely contested match, with Gauff leading 4-3. Zheng, the No. 7 seed from China, had just broken a string on her racket and signaled to the chair umpire that she needed to fetch a replacement. As she hurried off the court, Gauff was left standing at the baseline, ready to serve to no one.
The Unusual Serve
With Zheng absent, Gauff proceeded to serve into the open court, as the rules permit. The ball landed squarely in the service box, technically counting as a legal serve. "I didn’t really know what to do," Gauff admitted in her post-match press conference. "The umpire told me I could serve, so I did. It felt weird, but it’s within the rules."
Tennis rules state that a player must be ready to receive serve within a reasonable time. If the receiver is not prepared, the server is allowed to proceed. In this case, Zheng’s absence meant Gauff could legally serve, though the situation was far from ordinary.
Fan and Analyst Reactions
The moment divided opinions among fans and analysts. Some argued that Gauff should have waited, while others pointed out that she was simply following the rules. Tennis commentator Pam Shriver tweeted, "Strange but correct. The rules don’t account for sportsmanship here—just timing. Zheng should’ve had a backup racket ready."
Others, however, felt the situation highlighted a flaw in the sport’s regulations. Former player Andy Roddick weighed in, saying, "There’s got to be a better way. No one wants to see a player serve to an empty court. Maybe a time violation instead?"
Key Takeaways from the Incident
- Rule Clarity: The current rules allow servers to proceed if the receiver isn’t ready, but the situation raises questions about fairness.
- Preparation Matters: Top players are expected to have backup equipment readily accessible to avoid delays.
- Sportsmanship Debate: Should players wait in such scenarios, even if the rules don’t require it?
The Aftermath and Match Result
Despite the odd moment, Zheng returned quickly and the match resumed without further controversy. Gauff ultimately triumphed in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, advancing to the quarterfinals. Zheng, who had been struggling with a leg injury, later admitted the racket issue was just one of many challenges she faced that day. "I wasn’t at my best, but Coco played really well. The racket thing was just bad timing," she said.
Gauff, now a favorite to win the tournament, downplayed the incident after the match. "It’s not how I want to win points, but at the end of the day, you have to play by the rules. I’m just happy to be moving forward."
Historical Precedents
This isn’t the first time a player has served to an absent opponent. In 2019, Novak Djokovic served while Rafael Nadal was still toweling off, leading to a heated exchange. Similarly, in a 2022 ATP match, Stefanos Tsitsipas served while his opponent was adjusting his shoelaces.
However, Gauff’s case stands out because Zheng was entirely off the court. Tennis historian Steve Flink noted, "It’s rare for a player to be completely absent during a serve. Most delays are just a few seconds, not a full walk to the bench."
What’s Next for Gauff?
With the Italian Open being a key warm-up for the French Open, Gauff’s performance is under scrutiny. Her next opponent, world No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka, will pose a tougher challenge. Sabalenka, known for her aggressive play, has beaten Gauff in their last two meetings.
Gauff remains optimistic. "I’m feeling good on clay. Every match is a chance to improve, and I’m ready for whatever comes next." If she continues her strong form, she could be a serious contender at Roland Garros later this month.
Conclusion
While the empty-court serve was a quirky moment, it underscored the fine line between rules and sportsmanship in tennis. Gauff handled the situation professionally, and the incident is unlikely to overshadow her impressive run in Rome. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether she can capitalize on her momentum and claim her first WTA 1000 title of the year.
For Zheng, the match was a learning experience. "Next time, I’ll have my rackets ready. No excuses," she said with a smile. The tennis world will be watching to see how both players bounce back in their upcoming matches.