Coco Gauff said she had an “exhausting” few days after receiving racist abuse online ahead of her fourth-round exit at the China Open.
The American received an “insane” amount of racist comments and direct messages following an incident during her third-round victory over 16-year-old Sun Xinran on Monday.
The China Sun thought they had scored a winning goal at the end of the first set, but Gauff raised his hand to stop play because of a flickering light in the side boards surrounding the court.
After a video review – which players are allowed to request – the point was replayed, with Gauff winning it and subsequently winning the match.
The 22-year-old released a lengthy statement explaining what happened and later condemned the racist abuse she received in response.
Gauff was beaten 6-3 6-3 in her next match against Elise Mertens on Wednesday.
When asked how she had felt over the past 36 hours, Gauff replied: “It’s been pretty exhausting, I’m not going to lie.
“I just turn off my phone and move on. I mean, there’s nothing you can do.”
A spokesperson for the Women’s Tennis Association said it was appalled by the abuse. He said he was in contact with Gauff “to offer him all his support”.
A statement provided to the AFP news agency said the governing body was “seeking to take action” against this abusive content.
Gauff, who won the title in Beijing in 2024, made 34 unforced errors and eight double faults against Mertens.
“I was just a little flat. That’s the main thing,” Gauff said.
“The level was there at times, but I just didn’t maintain it throughout the whole match.”
Belgian Mertens will face former world number one Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals after six-time major champion Swiatek beat American teenager Iva Jovic 6-1 6-3.
Gn sports
