The No. 3 player in the world commented on Instagram on Saturday that a promotional graphic for the Australian Open was the ‘worst thing I ‘ve ever seen’ and ‘foul.’
The USTA has since deleted its post that featured Gauff, Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Jessica Pegula and others animated in the style of ‘The Wild Thornberrys’ to celebrate the American tennis players who were seeded for the Australian Open. The Nickelodeon show ran from the late 1990s to the early 2000s and told the story of a family who travels the world, including Australia.
Pegula, who is ranked No. 5 in the world, agreed with Gauff’s criticism of the post on X, formerly Twitter.
‘Hahahahhaha we are ugly,’ she posted in response to Gauff’s since-deleted comments where the major winner said she’d rather be portrayed in the style of a Bratz doll.
In September, Gauff won the US Open at 19 years old for her first Grand Slam.
The Australian Open started Saturday night in the United States. The women’s singles finals will be Jan. 27 with the men’s singles finals on Jan. 28.
