By user7576211892670015264 Coco Gauff described the past few days as “draining” after receiving racist abuse online following her fourth-round exit from the China Open.
The American was subjected to 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 surrounding 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 secure 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 6-3 6-3 to Elise Mertens on Wednesday.
When asked about her experience over the past 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.”
WTA Condemns Abuse
A spokesperson for the Women’s Tennis Association said the governing body was appalled by the abuse. The WTA confirmed it was in contact with Gauff “to offer our full support”.
A statement said the organization was “seeking action” against the abusive content.
Gauff, who won the title in Beijing in 2024, committed 34 unforced errors and eight double faults against 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 play 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.
Fery Claims First Tour Win Since August
Britain’s Arthur Fery defeated Marin Cilic 7-6 (7-2) 6-1 in the Shanghai Masters first round.
Fery recovered 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 next.