Tennis News Today: Coco Gauff turns 1st tennis star to back Napheesa Collier over WNBA claims; Venus & Serena Williams relive distressing gun violence
Tennis stars from across the globe have had a busy day, making headlines for their life both on and off the court. Coco Gauff recently showed her support for basketball star Napheesa Collier as she criticized the WNBA, while Venus Williams and Serena Williams recounted their experiences with gun violence during their childhood in Compton.
Elsewhere, World No. 61 Terence Atmane revealed the reason behind his mid-game withdrawal from the Shanghai Masters. Grigor Dimitrov and his girlfriend Eiza Gonzalez showcased their love for each other, and Iga Swiatek unveiled the harsh reality of abusive messages and harassment following her shock loss at the China Open.
With that, let’s dive into the biggest headlines of the day in the tennis world.
—
### 1. Coco Gauff Extends Support to WNBA Star Napheesa Collier
On Tuesday, September 30, basketball star Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx sent shockwaves through the sporting world as she lashed out against the WNBA leadership. Collier labeled them “the worst in the world” and expressed her concerns about the future of the sport.
In light of this, Coco Gauff voiced her support for her fellow American during a press conference at the China Open. She said:
> “I know that they’ve been doing a lot behind the scenes, the WNBA girls, specifically her. I met her or saw her at Unrivaled. I didn’t talk to her about any of that. I know they both have been working behind the scenes. I know a lot of the players in the league have found some real issues with it. I think for me it was a pretty brave statement. I think really why she did that is because she wasn’t being heard behind the scenes. Unfortunately, sometimes people don’t like a bad look on them. Sometimes you have to make that move.”
Currently, Gauff is in action in Beijing, where she will be taking on compatriot Amanda Anisimova in the semifinals on Saturday.
—
### 2. Venus and Serena Williams Reveal Experiences Growing Up Amidst Gun Violence in Compton
Venus and Serena Williams, two of the biggest women’s singles stars in tennis history, recently launched their own podcast where they share stories from their childhood.
In the latest episode of the *Stockton Street Podcast*, the sisters discussed the gun violence they witnessed while growing up in Compton.
Venus Williams recalled one particularly frightening incident:
> “At one point, during a practice, we’re practicing and I’ll never forget, a guy got out of his sunroof and just started shooting. We hit the ground, and I think Dad didn’t have the courage to tell us not to tell Mom because he wanted us to always tell the truth. So of course, as soon as we got back to the house, we’re like, ‘Mom! Mom! There was a whole shootout at the court!’”
She added that their mother stopped them from practicing at Compton Park for a long time after that incident.
—
### 3. Terence Atmane Cites Extreme Heat Conditions for Mid-Match Retirement at Shanghai Masters
Rising star Terence Atmane was in action recently at the Shanghai Masters. Although looking in good shape, he was forced to retire midway through his opening round match against Camilo Ugo Carabelli, with the score tied at 4-4.
After the match, Atmane took to social media to explain his sudden withdrawal:
> “Today, after the first point of the match, both of my hands were shaking. After the second game and a comfortable 2-0 lead, I immediately felt my entire body shaking and I was suffocating after every point. It led me to a point where I basically couldn’t breathe and my head started to hurt pretty badly. I felt like no matter what I was doing, I just couldn’t breathe.”
He also shared that he was unable to communicate with his physio and felt completely panicked. The Frenchman added that he plans to take some time off before returning for the season’s final tournaments.
—
### 4. Grigor Dimitrov and Eiza Gonzalez Share Their Milan Fashion Week Romance
Grigor Dimitrov and his girlfriend, actress Eiza Gonzalez, recently attended the Prada SS26 show at Milan Fashion Week. The couple dazzled in sleek outfits for the occasion.
Dimitrov gave fans a glimpse of their outing on social media, sharing photos from the show with the caption:
> “Fashion. Chic. And my love!”
In response, Eiza Gonzalez expressed her affection for the Bulgarian tennis star in the comments section, writing:
> “Te amo.”
—
### 5. Iga Swiatek Highlights the Harsh Reality of Abusive Messages After Shock Loss at China Open
Iga Swiatek was recently competing at the 2025 China Open. Despite being a strong favorite to win the trophy, the six-time Grand Slam champion was unexpectedly ousted in the round of 16 by American Emma Navarro.
Following the loss, Swiatek took to social media to share a screenshot of abusive messages she had received, stating:
> “Nowadays, this is a sad part of our reality in sports. Bots, betting, but also ‘fans.’ It is worth considering, especially since World Mental Health Day is just a few days away.”
Despite this setback, Swiatek has had a remarkable 2025 season. The 24-year-old lifted the Wimbledon trophy and made semifinal appearances at both the Australian Open and French Open.
—
**About the Author**
*Riddhi Acharya* is a journalist who covers Indian sports and US Olympic sports at Sportskeeda. Growing up with a passion for sports, Riddhi brings a deep understanding of the game and its players. She excels in crafting engaging articles, conducting thorough research, and staying abreast of the latest news and trends—all while adhering to SEO and journalism best practices.
—
*Edited by Urvi Mehra*
https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/tennis-news-today-coco-gauff-turns-1st-tennis-star-back-napheesa-collier-wnba-claims-venus-serena-williams-relive-distressing-gun-violence
