Sportsupdated 1h ago2 min read
Coco Gauff Says Online Racist Abuse Left Her Drained After China Open Exit
Online racist abuse surged after a controversial point against Sun Xinran at Beijing China Open. Gauff said the abuse left her drained and exhausted, feeling like she might faint.
Abuse after replay row
Coco Gauff said she had been left feeling “kind of draining” after receiving racist abuse online following her China Open exit in Beijing, after Elise Mertens beat her 6-3 6-3 in the fourth round. Gauff had previously stopped a point against Sun Xinran when a light in the side panels around the court flickered, and after a video review the point was replayed with Gauff winning it as she went on to clinch the match. Gauff said she “just turn off my phone and move on” and added, “I mean, there's nothing you can do.”
“It has been kind of draining, I'm not going to lie.”
Elise Mertens then punched her ticket for a quarter-final clash against Iga Swiatek after the six-time major champion Swiatek beat American teenager Iva Jovic 6-1 6-3. The Women’s Tennis Association said it was “appalled by the racial abuse directed at Coco Gauff and are in contact with her to offer our full support.”
Gauff’s rule defense
Gauff said she raised her hand to stop play during her match against Sun Xinran because the advertising beside the court flickered during the rally, and the umpire reviewed the footage and ordered the point to be replayed.
Gauff explained that the rule allows play to continue and for the review to be claimed afterward, and she said she apologized to Sun at the net after the match.
Gauff responded publicly to racist messages on social media by writing, “Hey everyone, you can dislike me or disagree about what happened without being racist.”
Gauff added, “The amount of racist comments/dms I've received in the last few hours is insane. Lastly, I 'm not a cheater or a thief.”
The Reuters report said the WTA had made efforts to tackle online abuse by introducing an AI-powered system that monitors thousands of players and officials on social media.
Next matches and support
Elise Mertens said she was undeterred after beating Gauff, telling reporters, “I knew it was going to be a very tough match,” as she advanced to play Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals. Iga Swiatek reached the quarter-finals after beating American teenager Iva Jovic 6-1 6-3, and Swiatek said, “I feel like I'm improving every day.” Gauff’s comments about the impact of the abuse came as she described feeling “no energy” during the match, saying, “I can't see the ball, I feel like I'm going to pass out.”
“I can't see the ball, I feel like I'm going to pass out.”
Gauff also said she was “seeking action” against abusive content through the governing body’s statement to AFP, and the Women’s Tennis Association said it was “seeking action” against the abusive content. Gauff’s path in Beijing ended with her loss to Mertens, but the China Open quarter-final picture set up a match between Mertens and Swiatek after Swiatek’s win over Jovic.