Coco Gauff called the days after her third-round China Open win “draining” as she faced an onslaught of racist abuse online. The 20-year-old American was targeted following an incident during her match against 16-year-old Sun Xinran on Monday.
Sun believed she had won a point late in the first set when Gauff raised her hand to stop play. The reason was a flickering light on the court’s side panels. After a video review, the point was replayed and Gauff won it. She then went on to win the match.
Gauff posted a detailed statement explaining the situation and later condemned the racist comments and direct messages she received. The volume of abuse was described by Gauff as “insane.”
She was beaten 6-3 6-3 in the fourth round by Elise Mertens on Wednesday. Gauff said the abuse had taken a toll. “It has been kind of draining, I’m not going to lie,” she said. “I just turn off my phone and move on. I mean, there’s nothing you can do.”
The Women’s Tennis Association spokesperson said it was appalled by the abuse and confirmed it was in contact with Gauff to offer “full support.” The WTA told AFP it was “seeking action” against the abusive material.
Gauff, who won the Beijing title in 2024, struggled against Mertens. She made 34 unforced errors and eight double faults. “I was just a bit flat. That’s the main thing,” she said. “The level was there at some points; I just didn’t sustain it the whole match.”
Belgium’s Mertens will face former world number one Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals after Swiatek beat American teenager Iva Jovic 6-1 6-3.
Elsewhere in China, Britain’s Arthur Fery beat former US Open champion Marin Cilic 7-6 (7-2) 6-1 in the Shanghai Masters first round. The 24-year-old came back from a first-set breakdown to dominate the second set and claim his first ATP Tour win since August. Fery will next face Russia’s 26th seed Karen Khachanov.
Gauff’s experience in Beijing reflects the wider issue of online abuse in sport. The WTA’s response signals increased pressure on social media platforms and governing bodies to act swiftly against racist content.
According to Joy Online.
