Photo credit: TikTok/WTA
Coco Gauff became the target of racist online abuse after a disputed point at the China Open, even though the decision to replay it came from the chair umpire.
The incident prompted support from tennis legends and a response from the United Nations Human Rights Office. Gauff later exited the Beijing tournament and withdrew from the Wuhan Open, citing exhaustion after a demanding stretch of competition.
What happened during Coco Gauff’s China Open match?
Gauff faced 16-year-old Sun Xinran when flickering electronic advertising boards interrupted a rally. Gauff stopped playing, and Sun hit a shot that appeared to end the point.
The chair umpire reviewed video footage and determined that the changing advertisements had disrupted play. The official ordered a replay, which Gauff won. She went on to defeat Sun 7-5, 6-1.
Gauff later explained that she had noticed the boards changing but initially questioned what she was seeing. The ruling belonged to the umpire, not the player.
How did Gauff respond to the backlash?
Gauff addressed the online reaction directly, making a distinction between criticism of her performance and racist attacks. She described the volume of abusive messages she received within hours as overwhelming.
Her response brought attention to a broader problem in sports, where decisions made by officials can become the basis for personal attacks against athletes.
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Why did tennis legends and the UN respond?
Former champions Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova defended Gauff. Evert emphasized the player’s character and questioned why she was being targeted for a ruling she did not make. Navratilova also criticized the attacks, while Gauff’s former coach Brad Gilbert voiced support.
The United Nations Human Rights Office called on players, coaches, sports organizations and fans to challenge racism and sexism in sport. Its response placed Gauff’s experience within a wider discussion about abuse directed at Black women athletes.
Gauff thanked those who reached out to her and acknowledged the encouragement she received.
Why did Gauff leave the Wuhan Open?
After beating Sun, Gauff lost to Elise Mertens 6-3, 6-3. During the match, she struggled with her energy and felt faint. She later described the week as draining and credited Mertens for performing better during key moments.
Gauff subsequently withdrew from Wuhan, where she was the defending champion. She said she needed to give her body time to recover after a long season.
The withdrawal also carries ranking consequences. Gauff will forfeit the 1,000 ranking points she earned by winning the tournament last year, when she defeated Jessica Pegula in the final.
What comes next for Coco Gauff?
Gauff has already qualified for the season-ending WTA Finals. At 22, she has won two Grand Slam singles titles and established herself among the leading players in women’s tennis.
Her immediate priority is recovery after a difficult week. The response to the abuse has also highlighted the responsibility of sports organizations and fans to challenge racist conduct rather than allow it to overshadow competition.
The controversy began with an official’s ruling on a single point. The reaction that followed raised a much larger question about how athletes are treated when sporting decisions provoke online anger.
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