Coco Gauff celebrated her win over Belinda Bencic at the Australian Open with a tribute to TikTok as the popular app was no longer available to Americans back home.
After defeating Bencic 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 to advance to the quarterfinals of this season's first Grand Slam tournament, Gauff wrote on the camera lens, “Rest in peace TikTok USA,” expressing her heartbreak. Before the app was discontinued, Gauff had more than 750,000 followers.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“RIP Tik Tok USA,” Coco Gauff writes after defeating Belinda Bencic at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Sunday, January 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
“I didn't have access after the game. Honestly, I was in Australia so I thought it would be okay,” he told reporters after the game via ESPN. “I hope it comes back…I'm really disappointed. I've been using this app since it was called Musical.ly.
“I love TikTok. It's like an escape. To be honest, I do it before games. I think it will probably force me to read more books and make me a more productive person. Maybe that's a blessing in disguise.
TikTok officially became unavailable to American users late Saturday night. For those using the app, it says, “Sorry, TikTok is currently unavailable.
“A law has been enacted in the United States that bans TikTok. Unfortunately, you cannot use TikTok at this time.”
Coco Gauff hits a shot from Belinda Bencic during the Australian Open in Melbourne, Sunday, January 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
American tennis star Taylor Fritz pledges to donate Australian Open winnings to Los Angeles bushfire relief fund
“Fortunately, President Trump has indicated that he intends to work with us on a solution to bring TikTok back once he takes office. Stay tuned!”
On the eve of his inauguration, President-elect Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Sunday that he would sign an executive order extending the ban's effectiveness.
“I'm asking companies not to leave TikTok in the dark! Executive order extending the period until the law's ban goes into effect so we can reach a deal to keep our country safe” will be released on Monday,” he wrote. . “This order also confirms that we will not be liable to companies that helped stop TikTok from going dark prior to my order.
“Americans have a right to watch Monday's exciting inauguration and other events and conversations.”
The TikTok logo appears on a cell phone in San Francisco on January 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
President Trump added that he wants the United States to have “50% ownership in the joint venture.”
Follow sports coverage on Fox News Digital on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
