In a gripping third-round clash at the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal, world No. 2 Coco Gauff battled past Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 on July 31, 2025, securing her spot in the fourth round. The match, a test of Gauff’s resilience amid persistent serving woes, was electrifying, yet it found itself upstaged by an unexpected controversy sparked by inappropriate commentary about Kudermetova’s personal life. Australian tennis maverick Nick Kyrgios, never one to shy away from drama, added fuel to the fire with a cryptic social media reaction, hinting at his disapproval of the broadcast’s detour into gossip involving Kudermetova and Holger Rune.
Gauff’s victory was hard-earned. Trailing by a set and a break, the 21-year-old American, fresh off her 2025 French Open triumph, fought back despite committing 14 double faults—adding to the 23 from her previous match against Danielle Collins. “It was a tough match,” Gauff said post-match, praising Kudermetova’s serving prowess. “I thought I did well mentally, especially on the return. I was playing an opponent that served really well.” Her rally from 1-3 down in the second set, saving break points and breaking Kudermetova’s serve to force a decider, showcased her mental fortitude. In the third set, Gauff surged to a 3-0 lead, cutting her double faults to one and sealing the win after two and a half hours. “The positive is that I’m winning these matches literally having a part of my game on crutches,” she reflected, acknowledging her serve’s inconsistency.
Kudermetova, ranked No. 42, brought her A-game, leveraging her recent Wimbledon doubles title with Elise Mertens. She broke Gauff early in the second set, but her momentum waned as Gauff’s defense and court coverage prevailed. The Russian’s 2023 Doha win over Gauff gave her confidence, but Gauff’s 2-1 head-to-head lead held firm. Off the court, however, Kudermetova became the center of unwanted attention when commentators veered into gossip during the broadcast. Referencing a podcast with Elena Vesnina, they recounted Kudermetova’s revelation that Holger Rune, the 22-year-old Danish world No. 9, had sent her private messages. “Rune recently texted me,” Kudermetova had said. “I told him, ‘Boy, I’m probably too old for you. If you looked at my Instagram, you’d see I have a husband.’ He replied, ‘Oh, sorry.’ After that, he doesn’t even say hello to me anymore.” The on-air quip—“I don’t know if you heard about this tea… this is totally not tennis related”—drew ire from fans, who flooded social media with criticism, calling it “brutal” and unprofessional.
Kyrgios, sidelined from competitive play but active on social media, posted a cryptic response that sent fans into a frenzy. Known for his outspoken takes, the former Wimbledon finalist hinted at his frustration with the broadcast’s focus on off-court “tea” over Gauff’s gritty performance. His post, liked by thousands, amplified the sentiment that the match deserved better. “Nick’s at it again, stirring the pot,” one fan commented, reflecting the buzz around his enigmatic reaction. Kyrgios, who recently praised Amanda Anisimova’s Canadian Open run, has a history of calling out perceived slights in tennis coverage, making his involvement in this saga unsurprising.
The incident overshadowed Gauff’s milestone—her fifth consecutive fourth-round appearance in Montreal—and raised questions about broadcast ethics. “No matter what is happening, Coco never gives up. Never!” wrote Rennae Stubbs, Serena Williams’ former coach, focusing on Gauff’s resilience amid the distraction. As Gauff prepares to face Canada’s Victoria Mboko, her serving issues remain a concern, with 250 double faults this season placing her fifth in WTA history for a single match’s tally. Kudermetova, meanwhile, continues her campaign, her professionalism undeterred by the unwanted spotlight. For Kyrgios, his cryptic jab keeps him in the tennis conversation, proving his influence endures even off the court.
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