Coco Gauff was inadvertently disrespected by a group of children during her US Open defeat against Emma Navarro.

Gauff struggled to find rhythm during the match and ended up with a staggering total of 60 unforced errors.

The American failed to find perfection with her serve and a group of children sensed as much too, filing down to the front of the crowd at 5-3 in the deciding set to prepare to ask for autographs.

It was a sign that they believed the match would soon be over.

“Coco's a little unnerved,” commentator Chris Fowler said.

“When you're at the end of a match, the extras will let the kids come down with the giant tennis balls to sign, a signal that they believe this could end soon.”

Former champion Chris Evert added: “The guards should prevent that from happening.”

Gauff allegedly stared down the security guards, who came to tell the children to return to their seats.

They were soon back, though, as Gauff was broken on serve and the match was over.