Tennis player Laura Siegemund sharply criticized the audience at the US Open after her narrow three-set defeat against American Coco Gauff. “I’m very disappointed with how people treated me,” said the 35-year-old early Tuesday morning at the Grand Slam tournament in New York and cried at times at the press conference. “They had no respect for me, they had no respect for good tennis, it hurts a lot.”

Siegemund booed

The spectators had booed Siegemund at times at 6: 3, 2: 6, 4: 6 and applauded after devious first serves. “This unfair, disrespectful behavior towards a non-American, I’ve only experienced it on this court,” said Siegemund. “It’s the first time I’ve cried in a press conference.”

Her 19-year-old opponent Gauff complained during the game that Siegemund needed longer than the allowed time to prepare between rallies. The German therefore received two warnings, which gave the world number six Gauff a point.

Laura Siegemund: “I’m shocked”

Siegemund will still be in action in women’s doubles at the US Open and has also registered for mixed. When asked if she would return to the US Open again, she replied: “I would only come back because it’s a slam. But certainly not to put on a show for the people. If they act like that, they don’t deserve a show. I am shocked.”