Key Takeaways
- Coco Gauff received numerous racist messages after a replayed point in her match against Sun Xinran.
- The WTA has introduced an AI system to monitor social media abuse against players.
- Gauff defended her actions and apologized to Sun Xinran, acknowledging her talent.
American tennis player Coco Gauff has spoken out against racist abuse she received on social media following a match at the China Open in Beijing. Gauff, who is Black, said she had received an overwhelming amount of abusive messages after defeating local teenager Sun Xinran in a match that sparked an online backlash.
The match took place on Monday, with Gauff winning 7-5 6-1 to advance to the fourth round. During the first set, Gauff stopped play to challenge a crucial point, claiming a flickering advertising board had distracted her. After a video review, the umpire ordered the point to be replayed, which Gauff won, securing her victory.
In response to the backlash, Gauff posted on X, a social media platform, stating, 'You can dislike me or disagree about what happened without being racist.' She added, 'The amount of racist comments/direct messages I’ve received in the last few hours is insane.'
Gauff emphasized that she was following the rules when she challenged the point, explaining that players are allowed to request video reviews of select judgment calls, including claims of distractions. She also spoke to Sun Xinran after the match, apologizing for the situation and acknowledging her talent.
The World Tennis Association (WTA) has been actively addressing the issue of online abuse by implementing an AI-powered system that monitors thousands of players and officials on social media. According to a study by the WTA and World Tennis, players faced over 12,000 abusive posts and messages in 2025, a significant increase from 8,000 the previous year.
In her statement, Gauff defended her actions, saying, 'Lastly, I’m not a cheater or a thief.' She expressed hope for Xinran's future, stating, 'Xinran's an incredible talent and player, I apologised for the situation at the end of the match and she completely understood.'
Gauff's comments reflect the ongoing challenges faced by players in dealing with online abuse, especially in international tournaments where cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts.
The WTA's efforts to combat online abuse highlight the need for continued vigilance and support for players in the digital age. The organization's AI system aims to provide a safer environment for players, but the issue remains a significant concern in the tennis community.
You can dislike me or disagree about what happened without being racist.
Coco Gauff, Tennis player
The amount of racist comments/direct messages I’ve received in the last few hours is insane.
Coco Gauff, Tennis player
Xinran's an incredible talent and player, I apologised for the situation at the end of the match and she completely understood.
Coco Gauff, Tennis player
