Coco Gauff, the former US Open champion, celebrated a significant victory on the court but faced an unexpected setback off it. Gauff, who boasts more than 750,000 followers on TikTok, found herself unable to access the app while in Australia for the Australian Open. Despite this digital disappointment, she advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Belinda Bencic with scores of 5-7, 6-2, 6-1.
Gauff's love for TikTok is well known. After her opening round victory at the Rod Laver Arena, she delighted fans by recreating one of her viral dance videos. However, the app's sudden inaccessibility in the United States prompted her to express her feelings by writing "RIP TikTok USA" along with a broken heart on a camera lens. She humorously acknowledged that being without TikTok might free up time for other interests and joked about becoming "a more productive human."
"I honestly thought I’d be able to get away with it because I was in Australia,” – Coco Gauff
When asked about the situation at a subsequent news conference, Gauff, residing in Melbourne during the tournament, expressed hope for a swift resolution to the TikTok ban. Despite the setback, she remained optimistic, suggesting that perhaps being without the app might indeed be a "blessing in disguise."
"I guess it’ll force me to read books more, be more of a productive human probably. Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise.” – US President-elect Donald Trump
The TikTok ban in the United States has left many users like Gauff seeking alternatives or hoping for a quick policy change. For Gauff, who juggles a thriving tennis career with her online presence, the loss of TikTok marks a significant shift in her off-court activities.
