Coco Gauff addresses online racist abuse after China Open exit
Coco Gauff described the online racist abuse she endured as “draining” following her premature exit from the China Open, reports BritPanorama. The 22-year-old American, who claimed the Beijing title in 2024, faced a significant backlash after a controversial moment in her third-round match against China’s Sun Xinran on Monday.
Gauff lost in the fourth round to Belgium’s Elise Mertens, with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-3. After the match, she reflected on the repercussions of the abuse, admitting that it had affected her mental state.
“It has been kind of draining, I’m not going to lie,” Gauff stated. In response to the deluge of hateful messages, she noted, “I just turn off my phone and move on. I mean, there’s nothing you can do.”
The controversial moment arose late in the first set when Gauff paused play, citing a flickering light in the courtside panels as the cause of disruption, much to the confusion of Sun, who believed she had scored a winning shot. After a video review, the point was ultimately replayed, with Gauff winning it and subsequently securing her victory in the match.
In a detailed statement following the incident, Gauff condemned the racial abuse she received, expressing disbelief that she was targeted for adhering to the rules. “I think it’s weird I’m getting hate for following the rules,” she said. She emphasised the realities of on-court expectations, stating, “If I would’ve lost the point my opponent is also free to do the same thing and ask for a replay.” Gauff highlighted that personal disagreements do not justify racist comments, saying, “You can dislike me or disagree about what happened without being racist.”
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has condemned the abusive messages directed at Gauff and has reached out to her with support, confirming that they are seeking to address the offensive content. During her match against Mertens, Gauff’s performance faltered, leading to 34 unforced errors and eight double faults. Post-match, she acknowledged her lack of focus, stating, “I was just a bit flat. That’s the main thing. The level was there at some points; I just didn’t sustain it the whole match.”
In the world of professional tennis, athletes often contend not only with their opponents but also with the harsh scrutiny and, at times, hostility that comes from the public eye. Gauff’s situation serves as a poignant reminder of the barriers still faced by players, especially from underrepresented communities, and how the intersection of sport and personal identity continues to shape their narratives.
