NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
American tennis star Coco Gauff’s trip to the French Open for her French Open opening match took a frightening turn.
“We had a mini car accident on my way to the venue today,” Gauff told TNT Sports with a laugh on Tuesday after beating fellow American Taylor Townsend in the opening round in Paris.
Gauff continued to recount his eventful trip to Roland Garros, saying: “We hit a pole. You could feel the impact. I spilled my juice all over the car.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
American Coco Gauff smiles during a practice session ahead of the 2026 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris on May 23, 2026. (Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Gauff ultimately had to find alternative transportation to get to Roland Garros. Once she arrived safely on the iconic red clay, she advanced to the second round with a straight-sets victory over Townsend, 6-4, 6-0, to set up a Thursday clash with Egypt’s Mayar Sherif.
ARYNA SABALENKA CALLS ON PLAYERS TO BOYCOT GRAND SLAMES IF THEY DON’T GET A HIGHER SHARE OF TOURNAMENT REVENUE
“The car wasn’t running. So we ended up taking a taxi,” Gauff added.
US Coco Gauff plays a forehand return to US Taylor Townsend during their women’s singles match on day three of the French Open at Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris on May 26, 2026. (Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP via Getty Images)
Gauff started his match earlier than expected following a retirement during another match on the Philippe-Chatrier court.
“And then right before I went on the field, my dress got stuck, so my physio was in the bathroom trying to help me get it off,” Gauff said. “It was a hectic day. But I feel like every time it happens it takes my mind off the game too much. I’m just happy to be here in one piece.”
Coco Gauff returns a backhand to Taylor Townsend during their women’s singles match on day three of the French Open at Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris on May 26, 2026. (Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
Gauff beat Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s French Open final to win the second Grand Slam title of her career. She won her first victory at the 2023 US Open in New York.
