Coco Gauff is speaking out after a disputed China Open point led to racist attacks against her online. The tennis star faced China’s Sun Xinran in the third round of the tournament Monday. Gauff ultimately defeated the 16-year-old 7-5, 6-1. However, one moment during the first set quickly became a larger conversation online.
Gauff stopped playing during a rally after electronic advertising boards near the court began flickering. The distraction happened as Sun appeared close to winning the point.
Officials reviewed the play and ultimately decided the point should be replayed. Gauff won the replay and later held serve to tie the set at 5-5. The decision sparked criticism from some tennis fans. Others accused Gauff of unfairly benefiting from the stoppage.
However, the conversation took a disturbing turn when racist comments and direct messages began targeting the 22-year-old.
Gauff Responds To Racist Backlash
Gauff addressed the attacks on X after one user directed a racial slur toward her.
“You can dislike me or disagree about what happened without being racist,” Gauff wrote.
She said the number of racist comments and direct messages she received within hours was “insane.” She also rejected accusations that she cheated or stole the point. Gauff later explained what happened from her perspective.
The two-time Grand Slam champion said she noticed the advertising board flicker during the point. She raised her hand to signal the distraction.Players can request video reviews for certain judgment calls, including possible distractions during play. The chair umpire made the final decision to replay the point.
Gauff also made it clear she had no ill feelings toward Sun.
“Xinran’s an incredible talent and player,” Gauff wrote.
She said she apologized to Sun after the match and said the teenager understood the situation. Sun was visibly emotional following the loss. The young player received a wild card into the tournament and was making her WTA Tour debut.
Gauff said seeing Sun upset was difficult because she understood those emotions from her own early career. She described Monday’s match as only the beginning of what she believes will be a promising career for Sun.
Online Abuse Remains A Problem In Tennis
The racist messages directed at Gauff come amid growing concerns about online abuse against professional tennis players. The WTA has introduced technology designed to identify and address abusive social media activity.
A WTA and World Tennis study found more than 12,000 abusive posts and messages were directed at players in 2025. That figure increased from roughly 8,000 the previous year.
Gauff’s experience also highlights how quickly criticism of Black athletes can move beyond their performance. The debate began with a single point and an officiating decision. Within hours, Gauff said she was confronting racist messages across social media.
Despite the controversy, Gauff advanced after her straight-set victory. Her response also drew a clear line between criticism and racial abuse. Fans may debate what happens during competition, she argued, without attacking an athlete’s race.