Coco Gauff said she felt “drained” after receiving a wave of racist abuse online before losing to Elise Mertens in the fourth round of the China Open.
The American tennis star said she received an “insane” number of racist comments and direct messages following an incident during her third-round victory over 16-year-old Sun Xinran on Monday. Sun appeared to have hit a winning shot late in the opening set, but Gauff stopped play after noticing a flickering light in the panels surrounding the court.
Players are permitted to request a video review in such situations. After the review, the point was ordered to be replayed, with Gauff eventually winning it before going on to secure the match.
The incident generated significant reaction online. Gauff later published a detailed explanation of what had happened and condemned the racist abuse directed at her. Asked about her state of mind in the 36 hours before her next match, Gauff admitted the experience had taken a toll.
“It has been kind of draining, I’m not going to lie,” she said.
Gauff added that she had chosen to stay away from her phone rather than engage with the abuse.
“I just turn off my phone and move on. I mean, there’s nothing you can do,” she said.
The Women’s Tennis Association condemned the abuse and said it had contacted Gauff to offer its support. The governing body also told AFP that it was seeking action over the abusive content. Gauff, who won the China Open title in 2024, was unable to produce her best tennis against Mertens on Wednesday. The Belgian won 6-3, 6-3, with Gauff committing 34 unforced errors and eight double faults.
Mertens advanced to the quarter-finals, where she will face former world number one Iga Swiatek. The six-time major champion defeated American teenager Iva Jovic 6-1, 6-3.
