Coco Gauff laments TikTok shutdown as Australian Open quarterfinals | Tennis news

The world number two wrote ‘RIP TikTok’ on a camera after the match, referring to the app’s demise in the US.

Coco Gauff wrote “RIP TikTok USA” and drew a broken heart on a camera lens shortly after reaching the Australian Open quarter-finals after the popular app, used by 170 million Americans, stopped working in the US.

TikTok disappeared from Apple and Google’s app stores ahead of a law that takes effect on Sunday that would require the social media platform to be shut down.

The former US Open champion, who has more than 750,000 followers on TikTok, said at a press conference that she would likely have more time to pursue other interests with the app unavailable on her phone in Melbourne.

“I honestly thought I would be able to get away with it because I was in Australia,” said Gauff, who on Sunday beat Belinda Bencic 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 to advance . “I think it has something to do with my number. I don’t know. I’ll have to do some research.

“Hopefully it will come back. It’s really sad. I love TikTok. It’s like an escape. I honestly do that before games.

“I think it will force me to read more books, probably be a more productive person. Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise.”

US President Donald Trump said he would “most likely” grant TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the ban after taking office on Monday, and Gauff said she had a feeling that at some point way would come back.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who lives in Miami and is a big TikTok fan, said she was also hoping for a quick resolution.

The Belarusian has more than 500,000 followers on TikTok and she recreated one of her viral dance videos with fans at Rod Laver Arena after her opening round victory a week ago.

“This is not something we can control and I hope they will figure it out because I love TikTok,” she said.