Coco Gauff overcame a minor car accident and hot conditions to defeat Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-0 in the first round of the 2026 French Open on May 26.
Gauff described a chaotic morning on her way to Roland Garros. She said the car she was traveling in struck a pole after police directed the driver to proceed despite an obstruction. The vehicle became undrivable, forcing her to switch to a taxi and then a tournament car. She also spilled juice in the car and needed help from her physio when her dress got stuck in a bathroom stall before the match.
