Coco Gauff laments the closure of TikTok, reaches the quarterfinals of the Australian Open | Tennis news
The second player in the world wrote ‘RIP TikTok’ on camera after the match in reference to the suspension of the application in the US.
Coco Gauff wrote “RIP TikTok USA” and drew a broken heart on the camera lens shortly after reaching the quarter-finals of the Australian Open after the popular app used by 170 million Americans stopped working in the United States.
TikTok has disappeared from the Apple and Google app stores ahead of a law that takes effect on Sunday that requires the social media platform to be shut down.
The former US Open champion, who has more than 750,000 followers on TikTok, said at a press conference that she would likely have more time to pursue other interests with the app unavailable on her phone in Melbourne.
“I honestly thought I could get away with it because I was in Australia,” said Gauff, who beat Belinda Bencic 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 on Sunday to advance. “I guess it has something to do with my number. I don’t know. I have to do some research.
“I hope he will come back. That’s really sad. I love TikTok. It’s like an escape. Honestly, I do that before matches.
“I guess it will make me read more books, probably make me a more productive person. Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise.”
US President-elect Donald Trump said he would “most likely” give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the ban after taking office on Monday, and Gauff said she had a feeling it would somehow backfire.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who lives in Miami and is a big fan of TikTok, said she too hopes for a quick resolution.
The Belarusian has more than 500,000 followers on TikTok and recreated one of her viral dance videos with fans at Rod Laver Arena after winning the first round a week ago.
“This is not something we can control and I hope they understand that, because I love TikTok,” she said.
