‘Too old for mind games’ – Gauff and Bencic clash

Coco Gauff, the reigning French Open champion, defeated Belinda Bencic in a fierce on-court fight to reach the China Open quarter-finals.

Bencic, 28, complained that Guaff’s team was making too much noise in the stands, so Guaff, 21, intervened.

The Swiss retorted, “No-one is talking to you,” as Gauff interjected while Bencic complained to the umpire. Your team is conversing. I can’t play these mind games because I’m too old.

Gauff said, “I knew she spoke to my team, but I had no idea what it was.” They told me that she cursed, “Shut up.” I can only go based on what they said because I didn’t hear it.

I was instructing her to be polite. On the other end of the court, I’ve been nice to her team. We have had a good relationship. That remark toward my team just didn’t appeal to me. After that, we moved on.

She has not spoken to me since, she said. Both she and I have rights to how we react.

I must say that I respect Belinda very much. She returns as a mother and continues to play great tennis. Although it is what it is, I regret wishing today hadn’t occurred.

Iga Swiatek, the tennis champion, was also backed by Gauff after she claimed on Monday that the tennis season was too long.

Gauff said, “I think I’ve played as much tennis as I can.”