1 hr ago
Gauff Condemns Racist Abuse After Replayed Point Sparks Backlash
Coco Gauff beat Sun Xinran at the China Open.
During an important point, Gauff stopped play because she said a flickering advertising board distracted her.
The umpire reviewed the call and ordered the point to be played again.
Gauff won that replayed point and went on to win the match.
Some people criticized her decision online.
Gauff said many of the messages she received were racist.
She said players are allowed to ask for video reviews in certain situations.
Gauff also said she apologized to Sun, who understood the situation.
Coco Gauff beat China’s Sun Xinran 7-5, 6-1 to reach the China Open fourth round.
Gauff stopped play during a first-set point, citing a flickering advertising board as Sun prepared a winner.
After a video review, the umpire ordered the point replayed; Gauff won the replay and held serve for 5-5.
Gauff said she received a barrage of racist messages and rejected accusations that she was a cheater or thief.
She said she apologized to Sun after the match, while a WTA and World Tennis study recorded more than 12,000 abusive social media posts and messages targeting players in 2025.
- Who
- Coco Gauff and Sun Xinran; Gauff said she was targeted with racist abuse on social media.
- What
- Gauff won their China Open match and condemned racist messages following a replayed point that drew online backlash.
- Where
- The China Open in Beijing, China.
- When
- The match took place on Monday, October 6; Gauff posted about the abuse early Tuesday.
- Why
- Gauff requested a review after saying a flickering advertising board distracted her during a point; the umpire ordered a replay, prompting criticism online.
Gauff's explanation
Online criticism
The replayed point
Gauff's explanation
Gauff said she followed the rules by requesting a video review after a flickering advertising board distracted her.
Online criticism
The replayed point prompted online backlash, with Gauff saying she was accused of cheating and theft.
Key facts
- Match score
- Gauff won 7-5, 6-1.
- Tournament progress
- The win sent Gauff into the fourth round of the China Open.
- Point decision
- After video review, the umpire ordered the disputed point to be replayed.
- Gauff's response
- She said she received an “insane” amount of racist comments and direct messages.
- Gauff's explanation
- She said players may request video reviews for select judgment calls, including possible interference from a distraction.
- Post-match conversation
- Gauff said she apologized to Sun and that Sun understood.
- Abuse study
- A WTA and World Tennis study found more than 12,000 abusive social media posts and messages targeting players in 2025, compared with 8,000 the prior year.
Quotes
Coco Gauff
American tennis player
“Xinran’s an incredible talent and player, I apologised for the situation at the end of the match and she completely understood.”
theprint.in
“The amount of racist comments/direct messages I’ve received in the last few hours is insane.”
theprint.in
Sources
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