You may have seen the likes of Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz clicking pictures or giving autographs to their hardcore fans. After every match, it’s a common sight. Back in March, the 2023 US Open winner was even seen teaching her fans how to take perfect selfies during the Indian Wells. Well these are still normal interactions, you see. But there also a lot of up-close-and-personal moments that may end up being completely funny or weird to say the least. That’s what transpired in the case of American stars Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, and Taylor Fritz. These tennis pros just spilled the beans on their most bizarre fan encounters.
While the Parisian clay may be witnessing high octane action on the court, it seems a lot is taking place off it too. At least that became evident in the case of this season’s Australian Open winner, Madison Keys. In a latest media segment amid her French Open campaign, the World No.8, alongside her fellow pros, was asked about some of their more unusual fan interactions
Keys revealed that she once came across a person, “where I had signed his arm and he was literally going to get it tattooed on him,” Things began to go out hilariously out of control when “he sent me a DM and I responded and I said, ‘Please do not do that’. I think I ended up talking him out of it.” But Keys is not alone when it comes to weird fan moments.
When it comes to her friend and World No.3 Jessica Pegula, her case is no different. Why? One common message that remains unchanged in her fan interactions is: “‘Can you send me money?’ That’s definitely a common one.” She was probably referring to those who engage in sports betting. And they get upset when the results are not favorable. “Like, I lost money on you, but they’ll be like, nice. ‘Can you pay me back?’”
And then there are the ‘tennis experts’, as revealed by the ATP pro and World No.4 Taylor Fritz. According to him, someone literally offered him a coaching opportunity. “You definitely get some like out there stuff of, like people, like trying to coach you.” Per him, “I think that’s like great.” The 2024 US Open runner-up revealed, “I’ve definitely had someone trying to tell me, like, convince me that I’ll be the best player in the world if I let them coach me.”
Tennis – U.S. Open – Flushing Meadows, New York, United States – September 6, 2024 Taylor Fritz of the U.S. celebrates after winning his semi final match against Frances Tiafoe of the U.S. REUTERS/Mike Segar
But guess what? It’s not always the funny interactions that catch your attention. Sometimes, few fans end up doing a lot more than just expressing their love for their favorite player. That’s what happened earlier this season with WTA star Coco Gauff. Remember her heartwarming encounter with a loyal fan in Madrid?
Like Madison Keys, Coco Gauff also had tattoo related fan moment at the Madrid Open
A year ago, Coco Gauff was competing at the Madrid Open when she snatched a 6-0, 6-0 win over Dutchwoman Arantxa Rus. After the match, she encountered a hardcore fan. The latter eventually got her name tattooed on her arm. Gauff initially took to her IG and shared a story. “I normally don’t record videos like this, but I had the craziest fan, she is the sweetest soul, but I am about to post, just watch the next two posts.”
This fan asked her for an autograph and vowed to have it tattooed. Hours later, Gauff shared her reel where she had the signature inked. Moved by this gesture, Gauff shared a story. In captions, she wrote, “and she actually got it tatted. MADRID ENERGY IS DIFFERENT! Sob fr omg.” And guess what? This fan waited for one complete season to meet her idol again.
At this year’s Madrid Open, last month, the loyal fan reunited with the World No.2. After her match against Dayana Yastremska, Gauff was seen interacting with the crowd outside the stadium. Among them was a woman named Katherine Canlas. Apparently, she was the same person who got Gauff’s signature inked on her arm more than a year ago, not unlike the encounter described by Madison Keys. Later, Katherine shared a picture on her IG story while revealing that she had also inked the 2023 US Open winner’s silhouette.
“She tatted me and my signature omg,” Gauff reacted on social media. But the heartwarming interaction didn’t end there. Katherine later posted her own story. It showed the American tennis star taking a picture of her tattoo. Along with that, the fan wrote, “@cocogauff Got shoes signed and a hug, I can die happy now.”
Gauff once again reshared this story on her account as well. Clearly this sweet gesture won her heart to say the least. What are your thoughts on this pure moment of deep admiration? Do you remember a similar instance featuring another tennis pro? Let us know in the comments below.
The post French Open: “Please Don’t Do It” – Madison Keys Shares Fan Nightmare, While Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz Reveal More Drama appeared first on EssentiallySports.
