Following her impressive victory against Belinda Bencic at the Australian Open, Coco Gauff expressed her disappointment regarding the recent TikTok ban in the United States. Gauff, who advanced to the quarterfinals after a hard-fought 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 win, had amassed over 750,000 followers on the platform before its removal.

The young tennis star paid tribute to the app, writing "RIP TikTok USA" with a broken heart on a camera lens after her match. She later revealed to reporters that she was surprised by the ban's impact even while abroad, stating, "I honestly thought I would be able to get away with it because I was in Australia." Gauff expressed hope for the app's return, highlighting its importance to her as a form of escape and pre-match ritual. She jokingly added that the ban might encourage her to become "more of a productive human" by reading more books.

The TikTok ban, which took effect late Saturday night, displays a message to American users explaining the situation and hinting at a potential resolution under the incoming Trump administration. The message mentions President-elect Trump's willingness to work towards reinstating the app while addressing national security concerns.

President-elect Trump addressed the issue on Truth Social, indicating his intention to sign an executive order extending the ban's effective date to facilitate negotiations and protect national security. He also emphasized his desire for the U.S. to secure a 50% ownership stake in a joint venture related to TikTok. He expressed the importance of Americans being able to witness his inauguration and other events on the platform.