Coco Gauff described the past few days as “draining” after receiving racist abuse online ahead of her fourth-round exit from the China Open.
The American revealed she had been subjected to an “insane” volume 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 around the court. Following a video review – which players are permitted to request – the point was replayed. Gauff won the point and eventually secured the match.
The 22-year-old published a lengthy statement explaining the situation and later condemned the racist abuse directed at her in response.
Gauff was defeated 6-3 6-3 in her subsequent match against Elise Mertens on Wednesday.
When asked about her experience over the previous 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 and confirmed it was in contact with Gauff “to offer our full support”.
A statement given to the news agency AFP said the governing body was “seeking action” against the abusive content.
Gauff struggles against Mertens
Gauff, who won the title in Beijing in 2024, made 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 face 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-round victory in Shanghai
Britain’s Arthur Fery beat 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.