Coco Gauff is not in favor of ball kids having to touch players’ sweaty towels. She said she would rather have the kids carry baskets to the players.
Tennis reporter Blair Henley recently appeared on former player Kim Clijsters’ podcast called “Love All with Kim Clijsters.” Both Henley and Clijsters were of the opinion that ball kids should still bring the towels to the players, as it is the only time that they get to interact with players.
However, World No. 4 Gauff reacted to this segment in the comments section of the Instagram clip, writing:
“I saw a tournament where they put the towels in baskets and brought the baskets to the players. I feel like that will be a good option?”
“But I agree with not wanting ball kids to touch sweaty towels lol I wouldn’t want to either, I always felt bad giving them my sweaty towels lol,” she added.
The practice of ball kids carrying sweaty towels to players was stopped in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, due to hygiene concerns. With the introduction of the automated shot clock rule, several players, including World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, complained that they were rushed after points, as they had to fetch the towels themselves.
The debate has been there for many years. In 2018, sports journalist Jon Wertheim tweeted:
“We are going to look back at ball kids handling the effluvia-soaked towels of millionaire pro athletes, much as we cringingly recall child labor in the textile mills, factories and mines during the Industrial Revolution.”
Coco Gauff’s Challenging Draw at Indian Wells
Coco Gauff has three WTA 1000 titles. However, the American has yet to win the BNP Paribas Open. She has an 11-5 record at Indian Wells in five appearances.
As she continues to struggle with her serve this season, Gauff would have to play out of her skin to win the upcoming WTA 1000 tournament. The fourth seed gets a bye in the first round and could play Bianca Andreescu in the Round of 64. In the third round, the two-time Grand Slam winner could face one of Alex Eala, Dayana Yastremska, and Zhang Shuai.
Gauff is likely to run into Linda Nosková, Diana Shnaider, Sorana Cîrstea, or Beatriz Haddad Maia in the fourth round. If she reaches the quarterfinals, the 21-year-old might face one of Jasmine Paolini, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Clara Tauson, or Paula Badosa.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, Amanda Anisimova, Victoria Mboko, Naomi Osaka, or Iva Jovic are likely to challenge Gauff in the semifinals. If the American makes it to the title clash, she could face Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Mirra Andreeva, or Elina Svitolina.
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