In a dramatic and controversial conclusion to the group stage at the 2024 WTA Finals, Coco Gauff fell to Barbora Krejcikova, a result that directly led to Iga Swiatek’s elimination from the tournament. Gauff’s defeat, coming on the heels of two straight-set wins over Swiatek and Jessica Pegula, was met with widespread reaction from tennis fans and sparked intense debate about the circumstances surrounding the match.
The stakes were clear entering this final group-stage match in Riyadh. With Gauff already assured of a place in the knockout rounds, Krejcikova and Swiatek were left to battle for the remaining spot. Swiatek, the defending champion, had done everything in her power to stay in contention, dismantling Daria Kasatkina, who was a late replacement for the injured Pegula, 6-1, 6-0. To advance, Swiatek needed Gauff to defeat Krejcikova. But in a tense and error-strewn match, Gauff struggled, and Krejcikova capitalized to secure a 7-5, 6-4 victory and her ticket to the semifinals.
The fallout from the match was immediate and intense. Many fans voiced their suspicions that Gauff’s performance was less than genuine, suggesting that she may have deliberately underperformed to prevent Swiatek from moving forward. Social media erupted with accusations and speculation, with some users alleging that Gauff’s motivation stemmed from a desire to avoid facing Swiatek later in the tournament—a player who has dominated their head-to-head encounters, holding an 11-2 lead over the American.
One fan, incredulous over Gauff’s performance, wrote, “She is soooo unserious for that lmaooo,” while another lamented, “You could see that Coco wasn’t even trying to win this match. Thanks to that, Iga was eliminated.” A more scathing remark read, “Coco did it on purpose. Her joy at the end of the match… she’s so pathetic.” Accusations continued to swirl, with another user posting, “Coco Gauff gonna lose just so she doesn’t have to face Iga again. What a loser.”
The allegations were not limited to social media chatter. Some fans took it further, asserting that Gauff’s loss was a calculated move to avoid a potential final showdown against Swiatek. “Absolutely disgraceful, she lost on purpose. I know 11-2 is painful for her, but have some shame. One of the most shameful moments in WTA history,” one tweet declared. Others echoed the sentiment, questioning Gauff’s integrity and calling her actions cowardly: “Lost a ton of respect for Coco Gauff. She threw this match because she doesn’t want Iga to advance and destroy her. So cowardly of her.”
However, not everyone was quick to jump to such conclusions. Some fans argued that, while Gauff may not have played her best, her strategic loss could be viewed as a pragmatic choice to eliminate one of her strongest rivals from the competition. One commenter observed, “Listen, I’m all for winning all the time, but if I’m Gauff and I have the chance to eliminate Swiatek if I lose, I’m losing lol. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do lol.”
As controversy swirled around Gauff’s loss, the tournament pressed on. Gauff, who reached the knockout stages for the second consecutive year, now faces top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals on November 8. Gauff’s qualification for the year-end event was fueled by a strong season, including two tour titles and a notable victory at the WTA 1000 event in Beijing. Her clash with Sabalenka promises to be intense; their head-to-head record stands at four wins apiece, with Sabalenka taking their most recent encounter at the China Open.
Meanwhile, Barbora Krejcikova’s win over Gauff earned her a spot in the other semifinal, where she will face Zheng Qinwen. Both Krejcikova and Zheng have reached this stage for the first time, adding fresh intrigue to the tournament’s knockout rounds. Zheng, who defeated Krejcikova in their only prior meeting at the 2023 Zhengzhou Open, will look to replicate that success.
As the WTA Finals continue, questions about Gauff’s performance against Krejcikova may linger, but all eyes will be on the upcoming matches, where the battle for the prestigious year-end title intensifies. Whether Gauff can silence her critics with a strong showing against Sabalenka, or if Krejcikova and Zheng can seize their moment, remains to be seen. The drama, rivalries, and stakes are only set to rise.