The world No. 4 pushed back against online attacks after halting play during a disputed point in Beijing.
Coco Gauff called out an “insane” volume of racist abuse sent to her online following a disputed point during her Monday win at the China Open in Beijing.
The world No. 4 and two-time Grand Slam champion defeated 16-year-old Sun Xinran 7-5, 6-1 in the third round to advance to the round of 16 at the WTA 1000 event. Gauff had previously beaten Camila Osorio in her opening match of the tournament.
The dispute happened during a competitive first set when Gauff halted play mid-rally by raising her hand. She stopped play because courtside LED advertising boards flickered. The sequence went to a video review, and the point was replayed.
The stoppage led to online criticism, with some viewers accusing Gauff of cheating. Gauff pushed back against the claims on social media, writing, “I’m not a cheater,” and explaining that she followed the rules of tennis.
Gauff said the backlash escalated into direct messages and comments with racial slurs. She replied directly on social media to a user who directed a slur at her. Sun, the junior U.S. Open champion, was playing on a wild card in her WTA Tour debut.
