Coco Gauff’s victory at the China Open was overshadowed by a torrent of racist abuse after her straight-sets win against Sun Xinran. A replayed point during the high-stakes match triggered heated controversy, exposing the persistent problem of online harassment that plagues athletes in tennis.
Controversial Match Sparks Online Backlash
During her contest against 16-year-old Sun Xinran, Coco Gauff advanced to the fourth round with a 7-5, 6-1 win. Tension peaked late in the first set when Gauff paused play, citing distraction from a flickering courtside advertisement just as Sun seemed poised to take an important point. After review, the umpire ordered the point to be replayed, and Gauff went on to win it, building momentum to close out the set and eventually the match.
Following the match, Gauff quickly became the target of severe racist comments online. Addressing the situation publicly, she urged that disagreement with the controversial point did not justify racial abuse, emphasizing that she acted according to official procedures and was neither cheating nor acting dishonestly.
Industry Response to Growing Online Abuse
The incident renewed scrutiny on the escalating issue of social media abuse directed at tennis players. Recent data underscores the trend: over 12,000 abusive posts and direct messages targeting players were logged by the WTA and World Tennis in 2025, a significant increase from the previous year. To stem this problem, the WTA has implemented artificial intelligence systems to monitor and respond to online threats against players and officials.
Gauff noted after the match that she had explained the situation to Sun Xinran and offered an apology. Sun was understanding, and Gauff expressed admiration for the teenager’s conduct during such a challenging moment in her young career.
Physical and Emotional Repercussions
The aftermath of the incident appeared to resonate on the court. In the subsequent round, Gauff fell to Elise Mertens in straight sets — marking her first loss to the Belgian after winning all previous matches between them. During the match, Gauff struggled physically, stating she lacked energy and felt ill, which both she and her opponent acknowledged post-match.
After her China Open exit, Gauff withdrew from the upcoming Wuhan Open citing the need for rest after a demanding stretch. Nevertheless, she is slated to return for the Billie Jean King Cup playoff scheduled in her hometown, aiming to regroup after a difficult period both on and off court.
