Andy Murray is adamant that Grand Slam tennis tournaments can do a ‘better job’ after Coco Gauff’s tiny French Open replica trophy went viral.
American superstar Gauff landed the Roland-Garros women’s singles title on Saturday, coming from behind to beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 6-2 6-4.
Gauff posted a TikTok after her triumph explaining that the actual Coupe Suzanne Lenglen trophy never left Paris and that winning players are given a ‘really small’ replica version to take home with them instead.
In the video, the 21-year-old showed how the size of the ‘mini replica’ compared to a Perrier water bottle, shocking a number of fans online.
‘They should give you something better than that,’ TikTok user @bril.kelleyy said in the comments.
‘That’s wild and makes no sense for it to be small,’ a second fan, @theone_professional, added. ‘As if they can’t afford it.’
British tennis legend Murray has now weighed in, posting on his Instagram story: ‘Surely the tennis majors can do a better job with the replica trophies?! They are tiny.’
Gauff’s ‘really small’ French Open replica trophy
‘This is trophy (Coupe Suzanne Lenglen) that you guy saw me take pictures with and do press with and all of that. But actually, we don’t get to take that home,’ Gauff said in her TikTok video.
‘It stays with the tournament. I’m going to show you guys the one we take home. It’s a lot smaller. It’s a mini replica. To compare it, it’s really small.’
Placing the replica next to a French water bottle, Gauff added: ‘That’s how small it is. It’s the memories that matter most. It’s very pretty.’
How do the replica trophies work at other Grand Slams?
At Wimbledon, the champion currently receives a replica trophy three-quarters of the normal size.
Australian Open and US Open winners, meanwhile, receive full-size replicas.
Coco Gauff happy with ‘adorable’ replica trophy
Speaking to TODAY, Gauff added: ‘Most tournaments will have the original that they keep with them, and then they give you home a replica.
‘I didn’t know it was going to be as small as it is. It is adorable. It looks just like the real one, just smaller.’
Meanwhile, Gauff’s French Open triumph saw her become the first player to win a women’s singles Grand Slam final against the reigning world No.1 after losing the first set since Venus Williams did so against Lindsay Davenport at Wimbledon 20 years ago.
In her post-match press conference, Gauff was asked about Sabalenka saying Iga Swiatek would’ve beaten her in the Roland-Garros final.
‘I don’t agree with that,’ Gauff said. ‘I mean, I’m sitting here. No shade to Iga or anything, but I played her and I won in straight sets. I don’t think that’s a fair thing to say.
‘Anything can really happen. Honestly, the way Aryna was playing the last few weeks, she was the favourite to win. I think she was the best person I could’ve played in the final.’