During the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal, Coco Gauff came under scrutiny not only for her earlier defeat but also for a question posed to her in a post-match press conference that many interpreted as racially insensitive. After her straight-sets loss to unseeded Canadian Victoria Mboko on August 2, a reporter asked Gauff if she saw herself reflected in Mboko, prompting criticism from fans who perceived the inquiry as discriminatory based on the players’ skin color. This incident highlighted escalating tensions around racial issues within the tournament context and drew focused attention on the interaction between players and the media.
Gauff, who had recently faced setbacks following her 2025 French Open victory with early exits at both Berlin and Wimbledon, struggled at the Canadian Open where she committed 42 double faults across three matches. Despite these technical issues on court, it was the question following her defeat rather than the defeat itself that fueled controversy among supporters and observers alike.
Frances Tiafoe’s Dispute with Chair Umpire Raises Eyebrows
At the same tournament, Frances Tiafoe was involved in a tense exchange with chair umpire Fergus Murphy during his second-round match against Japan’s Yosuke Watanuki on July 30. After bouncing back from a first-set loss to win 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(5), Tiafoe’s celebration was met with a code violation for audible obscenity from Murphy. The American player contested the decision, stating,
“You can’t give me a code if I’m positively reinforcing myself. Doesn’t matter what I say.”
Umpire Murphy responded,
“It might be positive to you but other people would get offended with that word. I’m explaining, that’s the rule.”
The disagreement persisted through the remainder of the match, culminating in Tiafoe refusing to shake hands with Murphy following his victory, although he did acknowledge the official for refraining from issuing a game penalty.
Martina Navratilova Condemns Florida Governor’s Tribute to Hulk Hogan
In a separate controversy, tennis legend Martina Navratilova voiced her strong disapproval of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ decision to honor the late WWE superstar Hulk Hogan. Hogan passed away due to cardiac arrest on July 24. DeSantis declared August 1 as ‘Hulk Hogan Day’ across Florida and ordered flags at the State Capitol in Tallahassee and in Pinellas County to be lowered as a mark of respect.
“Our governor can eff off on this. Hulk was a nasty human being,” Navratilova remarked, referencing Hogan’s controversial history, including allegations of racism, a sex tape scandal, and steroid use.
Veronika Kudermetova Details Holger Rune’s Unreciprocated Advances
On a podcast hosted by former player Elena Vesnina, Veronika Kudermetova shared an amusing yet revealing story about Danish player Holger Rune, who is six years her junior. Rune reportedly messaged Kudermetova expressing interest before she informed him of her marital status, effectively ending any hope of a romantic connection.
“Rune recently texted me. 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.’ Since then, he doesn’t even say hello to me anymore,” Kudermetova said.
Kudermetova, married since 2017 to Sergei Demekhine—her coach and 13 years her senior—highlighted how this interaction reflected age differences and the importance of boundaries within the tennis community.
Coaching Clash: Goran Ivanisevic and Patrick Mouratoglou Debate Stefanos Tsitsipas’ Performance
Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas’ recent on-court struggles have sparked a public spat between his former coach Goran Ivanisevic and French coach Patrick Mouratoglou. Ivanisevic joined Tsitsipas’ team after the 2025 French Open but was sharply critical following Tsitsipas’ early retirement from Wimbledon, where he lost to Valentin Royer. Mouratoglou defended Tsitsipas and took issue with Ivanisevic’s remarks.
“In a way, it makes me feel that Ivanisevic is ashamed of the results and he wants to separate himself from Stefanos to say, ‘It’s not me, me, I’m good. He is not good. That’s his fault.'”
Ivanisevic responded by stating his preference for direct communication over public exchanges, saying,
“I will talk to him when I see him, that’s for sure. If he has a problem with me, he should call me, tell me what he thinks. I will tell him what I think. I don’t go around and talk what I think about him. I better not say what I think about him, so I will be quiet for the moment.”
Following Ivanisevic’s departure from his team, Tsitsipas has rehired his father, Apostolos Tsitsipas, as his coach, signaling a return to familial collaboration amid his struggles.
Implications of the Turmoil at the National Bank Open
The 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal has been marked by several controversies affecting high-profile players and officials, underscoring broader discussions about race, sportsmanship, and interpersonal dynamics within professional tennis. Coco Gauff’s experience with the racially charged media question highlights ongoing sensitivities around race in sports. Meanwhile, Frances Tiafoe’s conflict with an umpire reveals tensions between players and officials during high-stakes matches.
The strong reactions from figures like Martina Navratilova to political tributes, as well as personal revelations from players such as Veronika Kudermetova, show how off-court issues continue to intertwine with sporting narratives. Additionally, public disagreements between coaches and players emphasize the pressures facing athletes striving to regain form and confidence.
As the tennis season progresses, these events suggest increased scrutiny on player treatment, media conduct, and coaching roles. The aftermath of these incidents might propel organizers, players, and commentators to address underlying issues, aiming for a fairer, more respectful environment at future tournaments.