Coco Gauff opened her French Open title defense with a commanding 6-4, 6-0 win over fellow American Taylor Townsend, but her performance was not the only thing that caught attention in Paris. During the match, fans noticed the world No. 4 repeatedly placing her racquets inside a courtside refrigerator between games, sparking plenty of questions online.
The unusual tactic may have looked surprising, but there’s actually a smart performance reason behind it.
© Getty ImagesThe Tennis Science Behind Coco Gauff’s Racquet Fridge
On warm days, tennis players constantly battle changing court conditions. Heat doesn’t just affect the athletes. It also impacts the equipment, especially racquet strings, according to Former Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki.
“String tension changes with different weather,” Lisicki wrote. “When it’s hot, tension tends to drop quicker than usual. The racquet bags are always in direct sun, so she wanted to be extra safe and put them in the fridge… I wonder how it feels when you take it out and play with it right away. I never tried it.”
© Getty ImagesGauff was attempting to keep the string tension more stable and preserve a consistent response from each racquet.
Why String Tension Matters So Much in Tennis
String tension is one of the most important elements of racquet setup in professional tennis. Tighter strings generally offer more control, while looser strings can generate extra power and comfort.
When tension drops unexpectedly because of heat, players may struggle to hit with their usual precision. On clay courts like those at the French Open, where long rallies and heavy topspin are common, consistency becomes even more important.
© Getty ImagesProfessional players often bring multiple racquets strung at slightly different tensions, depending on weather conditions. Some even restring racquets daily during tournaments.
After a competitive first set against Taylor Townsend, Gauff completely took control in the second set, winning 6-0 to advance comfortably into the next round.
© DeFodi Images via Getty ImagesFollowing the match, Gauff also revealed she had experienced a minor car accident on the way to the stadium earlier in the day. According to the American star, the vehicle bumped into a pole.
