Beaten No. 2 kicks seeding to the kerb

Seedings mean little in the cauldron of Wimbledon, with No. 2 Coco Gauff lamenting her form – and ignoring her exalted ranking status – after a shock loss.

The reigning US Open winner was sent packing 6-4, 6-3 in the fourth round by Emma Navarro, billed as the richest player in tennis due to her hedge fund father’s billions in net worth.

Gauff was a deer in the headlights of the American No. 17, with the seed repeatedly conversing heatedly with her coaching box on the way to defeat.

But the 20-year-old is prepared to write off her disappointment and shift focus to the fast-approaching Paris Olympics from July 26.

“I’ve seen and played so many Slams where anybody can win. The seed is just a number, just an advantage so you don’t play another seed in the first round,” Gauff said.

“That doesn’t mean you can’t lose, as we’ve seen a lot of seeds drop out. We’ve seen defending champions drop out .

“It means nothing. Fans are a little bit disrespectful when it comes to other players on tour. Maybe their ranking isn’t there, but the level is there.

“They’re here for a reason. They deserve their spot… there’s .no easy draw, no cakewalk or anything.”

Gauff added: “I don’t take my seeding into account when it comes to
anything. I take every match with a very competitive mindset regardless of the ranking or the person I’m playing against.”

Main photo:- Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd