In a surprising twist of drama within the sports world, Angel Reese, the LSU star basketball player, has taken issue with a recent social media post from tennis sensation Coco Gauff. What was intended as a congratulatory message to Gauff, following her stunning victory at the US Open, has now ignited a feud that has many talking.
The controversy began when Gauff, after securing her first Grand Slam title, took to Instagram to post a message that seemed to subtly poke fun at Reese’s signature “You can’t see me” gesture, which the LSU player famously made during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship. The post, which included a picture of Gauff holding up her trophy with the caption “I guess this is my ‘You can’t see me’ moment,” was quickly interpreted by many as a playful jab at Reese’s iconic celebration.
Reese, never one to back down from a confrontation, did not take kindly to Gauff’s seemingly lighthearted remark. On Twitter, she posted a scathing response, accusing Gauff of being “petty” and trying to undermine her achievements. Reese went further, claiming that Gauff was only trying to ride the wave of controversy surrounding the infamous “You can’t see me” moment to get attention for herself. “It’s sad when people have to use someone else’s spotlight to shine. You’d think a Grand Slam winner would be above that,” Reese wrote.
The rift between the two athletes has shocked fans, many of whom had previously seen Gauff and Reese as allies in the broader conversation about women’s sports and empowerment. While Gauff’s message was likely intended as a playful homage to the confidence that both athletes have shown, Reese’s response shows that not everyone appreciates what could be seen as a dig.
Reese’s reaction has sparked a wider conversation about the pressures athletes face in the spotlight, the fine line between friendly rivalry and personal insult, and the importance of respecting each other’s accomplishments. It remains to be seen whether the two will reconcile or if this public spat will continue to dominate headlines in the coming weeks.
What’s clear, however, is that this rivalry—whether real or manufactured—has caught the attention of sports fans, social media, and the broader cultural landscape.
