Gauff said: “I knew she said something to my team, but I didn’t know exactly what. They told me she said, ‘Shut up’. I didn’t hear it, so I can only go based off what they said.

“I was telling her to be respectful. I’ve been nice with her team off court. We’ve been nice with each other. I just didn’t like that comment towards my team. We moved on after that.

“I haven’t spoken to her since. She’s entitled to how she felt and I’m entitled to how I respond.

“I obviously have a lot of respect for Belinda. She’s a great player, coming back and playing great tennis as a mom. I obviously wish today didn’t happen, but it is what it is.”

Gauff also backed up Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek after she said on Monday that the tennis season is too long.

“I think I’ve basically played as much tennis as I possibly can,” Gauff said.

“It’s just impossible. Especially now with more and more events being two weeks long, it just doesn’t really make sense to strain your body.”