Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Gauff Condemns Racist Abuse After China Open Replay Backlash
Coco Gauff played Sun Xinran at the China Open in Beijing.
Gauff said a flickering advertising board distracted her during an important point.
She asked the umpire to review what happened, and the point was played again.
Gauff won the replay and later won the match.
Some people criticized her online for asking for the review.
Gauff said that disagreement should not turn into racist abuse.
She also said she apologized to Sun after the match, and Sun understood.
A study found that online abuse targeting tennis players increased in 2025.
Coco Gauff beat 16-year-old Sun Xinran 7-5, 6-1 at the China Open in Beijing on Monday, reaching the fourth round.
Gauff stopped play during a first-set point, saying a flickering advertising board distracted her as Sun was about to hit a winner.
After a video review, the umpire ordered the point replayed; Gauff won the replay and held serve to make it 5-5.
Gauff said she received a large volume of racist comments and messages online, and rejected accusations that she was a cheater or thief.
Gauff said she apologized to Sun after the match; a WTA and World Tennis study recorded over 12,000 abusive posts and messages targeting players in 2025, up from 8,000 the year before.
- Who
- Coco Gauff and Sun Xinran; Gauff said she was targeted with racist abuse online.
- What
- Gauff won their China Open match after a disputed point was replayed, then spoke out about racist messages she received.
- When
- The match took place Monday, October 6; Gauff posted about the abuse early Tuesday.
- Where
- The China Open in Beijing, China.
- Why
- Gauff requested a video review after saying a flickering advertising board distracted her during a point; the replay prompted online criticism.
Gauff's explanation
Online criticism
Requesting a replay
Gauff's explanation
Gauff said she followed the rules by requesting a review after a flickering advertising board distracted her.
Online criticism
The replayed point drew online backlash, with Gauff saying she was accused of cheating and theft.
- Match score
- Gauff won 7-5, 6-1.
- Tournament progress
- The victory took Gauff into the fourth round of the China Open.
- Disputed point
- The umpire ordered the point replayed after a video review.
- Gauff's response
- She said she received an “insane” amount of racist comments and direct messages.
- Gauff's explanation
- She said players can request video reviews for select judgment calls, including possible interference from a distraction.
- Conversation with Sun
- Gauff said she apologized to Sun after the match and that Sun understood.
- Online abuse study
- A WTA and World Tennis study found over 12,000 abusive social media posts and messages targeting players in 2025, compared with 8,000 the previous year.
