By user-5817544574416865421 Coco Gauff revealed she endured a “draining” few days after receiving racist abuse online before her fourth-round exit at the China Open.
The American said she was subjected to 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.
China’s 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 ultimately secured the match.
The 22-year-old posted a lengthy statement explaining the situation and later condemned the racist abuse she received in response.
Gauff was defeated 6-3 6-3 in her next match against Elise Mertens on Wednesday.
Mental Toll of Abuse
When asked about her state of mind 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.”
A spokesperson for the Women’s Tennis Association said it was appalled by the abuse. The organization confirmed it was in contact with Gauff “to offer our full support”.
A statement given to news agency AFP said the governing body was “seeking action” against the abusive content.
On-Court Struggles
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.
British Success in Shanghai
Elsewhere, Britain’s Arthur Fery defeated Marin Cilic 7-6 (7-2) 6-1 in the Shanghai Masters first round.
Fery came back 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.