Coco Gauff said that she was involved in a car accident while traveling to Roland-Garros before her opening-round match.
Gauff said the accident was minor, but the vehicle could not continue driving afterward. She shared the story during a postmatch interview after defeating fellow American Taylor Townsend in straight sets.
“The car was not drivable,” Gauff told reporters. “I spilled all my juice in the car, too.”
The 22-year-old added that no one appeared seriously injured. She also tried to keep the moment in perspective before beginning her title defense in Paris. According to reports from the tournament, Gauff joked that the chaotic morning may have been “a good omen.” (People.com)
Despite the disruption, Gauff quickly settled into form on Court Philippe-Chatrier. She defeated Townsend 6-4, 6-0 to advance to the second round of the tournament. The victory marked another strong start for the American star, who won the French Open title last year.
Strong Start Despite Early Nerves
Gauff admitted she felt nervous early in the match. Townsend pushed her during the opening set, and Gauff briefly struggled with consistency on serve.
Still, the world No. 4 regained control late in the first set. She dominated the second set and closed the match comfortably.
“I was definitely nervous going in,” Gauff said after the win. “But once I settled down, I felt more confident.”
The victory continued an encouraging clay-court season for Gauff. She entered the French Open among the tournament favorites after reaching another Italian Open final earlier this month. Analysts have pointed to improvements in her serve and mental approach entering the 2026 season.
Gauff has spoken openly in recent weeks about handling pressure and public attention. Earlier Tuesday, she also addressed concerns about player privacy after footage from a frustrated moment at the Australian Open circulated online earlier this year.
Chasing Another Paris Title
A second straight French Open title would place Gauff in rare company. She is attempting to become the first American woman since Chris Evert to successfully defend the Roland-Garros crown.
Last year’s championship victory represented a breakthrough moment in Gauff’s career. She defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the final to capture her second Grand Slam singles title.