Coco Gauff says online racist abuse was ‘draining’ after China Open exit

Coco Gauff, the world No. 4 from the United States, was eliminated in the China Open quarter‑finals after a 6‑3, 6‑3 defeat to Belgium’s Elise Mertens. The 22‑year‑old’s loss followed a tumultuous previous round in which she overcame Chinese teenager Sun Xinran, a match that sparked a wave of online racist abuse directed at Gauff. In the aftermath of her defeat, Gauff described the barrage of hateful comments as “draining,” noting that she had to turn off her phone to cope with the “insane” amount of racist messages she received.

The incident highlighted the broader issue of racism in tennis, prompting the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) to issue a statement condemning the abuse and affirming its commitment to support Gauff. The governing body said it was “appalled by the racial abuse directed at Coco Gauff” and was actively seeking action against the offending content, emphasizing that there is “no place for racism, discrimination, or abuse in tennis.” Gauff’s earlier request for a video review of a point against Sun, due to flickering LED lights on the stadium’s advertising hoardings, had already drawn boos from the crowd, underscoring the heightened tension surrounding her matches in Beijing.

Mertens, untroubled by the controversy, advanced to face world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the next round, while Gauff’s supporters attempted to rally her in the largely empty venue. The tournament also saw Swiatek dispatch American Iva Jovic in straight sets and set up a quarter‑final clash with Zheng Qinwen, while Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina prepared to meet Ann Li. The episode adds to ongoing conversations about player welfare and the need for stronger safeguards against online harassment in professional sport.

⚡ Effects Interpreter