The reign is over. Defending champion Coco Gauff was sent packing from Roland Garros on Saturday, falling to unseeded Anastasia Potapova in a gritty three-set upset that has left fans howling for change.
Potapova, who dropped the first set 6-4, dug deep to claw back and secure a 7-6, 6-4 victory on Court Philippe-Chatrier. It was the biggest win of her Grand Slam career, and she wasn't shy about the emotion afterward.
“I don’t have any words now,” Potapova said. “Coco is such a champion… And I respect her so much. I’m unbelievably proud of myself as well that I fought til the last point. Yeah, here I am.”
But while Potapova celebrated, Gauff’s supporters were fuming online. The American's serve—long a weak spot—was once again the target of criticism, and many are now calling it a wake-up call that can't be ignored.
“Her serve is still atrociously awful and she needs big help,” one fan wrote. “She needs to make adjustments.”
Another added, “If this not a wake up call to change something about her defensive game style, I do not know what is. You cannot return an extra ball and hope your opponent would miss. Very disappointing match from Coco Gauff.”
Gauff, just 22, already owns two Grand Slam titles—an impressive feat by any measure. But critics argue she could be dominating if she turned her serve into a weapon rather than a liability. Players like Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina routinely rack up free points on their deliveries, while Gauff relies on her elite court coverage and return skills to bail her out.
“Coco can never close out a set or point, faltered, and Potapova pounced and hit her shots,” another fan noted.
The question now is whether Gauff can overhaul her game in time for Wimbledon, which begins in just a few weeks. Some fans think it's possible; others worry the pattern will continue. Either way, the pressure is on.
Meanwhile, other storylines at Roland Garros have kept fans buzzing—like Sloane Stephens turning heads with a swimsuit flashback after her own exit, and Ben Shelton's French exit leaving fans crushed. But for Gauff, the spotlight is squarely on what comes next.
Will she make the necessary changes? Only time will tell, but the clock is ticking.
