Coco Gauff watched Angel Reese make history after seven minutes on Saturday night – but not the way she would have wanted.
The tennis superstar took her support for Unrivaled as an investor to the next level as the guest of honour between the Rose and Laces.
The inaugural campaign of the start-up women’s basketball league has proven a success thus far as it continues to shake up the sport.
Gauff, no stranger to breaking records with a racket, was keen to see what it was all about as she watched high-profile Reese in action.
However, the ‘Bayou Barbie’ endured a frustrating start after failing to score in the first quarter while going 0 for 2 from the field.
Reese had begun finding her flow in the second when she erupted for six points and 11 rebounds before her night was cut short.
The 22-year-old became the first player to receive an ejection in Unrivaled’s history for two technical fouls in quick succession.
The Chicago Sky forward was called for a foul on Tiffany Hayes with her Rose leading the Laces by eight points.
Reese derisively waved her hand in the direction of her fallen foe, and her protests to the officials led to another tech.
‘Chi Barbie’ was understandably aggrieved by the decision and later took to X with a one-word reaction, posting: “sayless”.
Reese was ejected just once during her rookie season, which occurred in a similar scenario in a defeat to the New York Liberty.
This time, her teammates were able to get the job done without her, which allowed Reese to see the funnier side with her follow-up posts.
She added: “yall know I had to be the first”, and “can’t wait to get back to chicago man” referring to her new place in the history books.
Reese had later managed to look a lot more upbeat while posing for pictures courtside with Gauff.
“Courtside baddies,” The world No. 3 tennis star wrote alongside an Instagram post of the pair relaxing to watch the game.
Reese then responded in kind by reposting the image with her own caption, “The QUEEN.”
Gauff, who is one of the more high-profile investors in Unrivaled, also shared a moment with Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.
The Rose improved their record to 2-4 with their 83-69 win, with eight games left to play until the season ends next month.
After playing in Unrivaled, Reese will then spearhead an exciting Sky team heading into the 2025 WNBA season with a new coach and championship aspirations.
The 13-27 Sky failed to make the playoffs last season, prompting the franchise to part ways with former head coach Teresa Weatherspoon — who is Reese’s coach in Unrivaled with Rose — and replace her with Tyler Marsh.
The 2025 WNBA regular season tips off on Friday, May 16, with Reese’s Sky taking on longtime rival Caitlin Clark‘s Indiana Fever a day later in Indianapolis.