Coco Gauff described the past few days as “draining” after being targeted with racist abuse online following her fourth-round exit from the China Open.
The American received an “insane” volume of racist comments and direct messages after an incident during her third-round victory over 16-year-old Sun Xinran on Monday.
Sun believed she had struck a winner late in the first set, but Gauff raised her hand to stop play due to a flickering light in the side panels around the court. Following a video review—which players are permitted to request—the point was replayed. Gauff won the replayed point and went on to win the match.
The 22-year-old posted a lengthy statement explaining the situation and later condemned the racist abuse she received in response.
Gauff lost her next match to Elise Mertens 6-3 6-3 on Wednesday.
Impact of Abuse
When asked about her experience over the previous 36 hours, Gauff said: “It has been kind of draining, I’m not going to lie.”
“I just turn off my phone and move on. I mean, there’s nothing you can do.”
A Women’s Tennis Association spokesperson said the organization was appalled by the abuse and confirmed it was in contact with Gauff “to offer our full support.”
In a statement given to the news agency AFP, the governing body said it was “seeking action” against the abusive content.
On-Court Performance
Gauff, who won the Beijing title in 2024, committed 34 unforced errors and eight double faults in her loss to Mertens.
“I was just a bit flat. That’s the main thing,” Gauff 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 the six-time major champion defeated American teenager Iva Jovic 6-1 6-3.
Other Results
Britain’s Arthur Fery defeated Marin Cilic 7-6 (7-2) 6-1 in the Shanghai Masters first round.
Fery came back from a break down in the first set before dominating the former US Open champion in the second to claim his first ATP Tour win since August.
The 24-year-old will face Russia’s 26th seed Karen Khachanov in the next round.