Coco Gauff Denounces Racist Abuse Following China Open Match

Coco Gauff defended her victory against Sun Xinran at the China Open on October 5, 2026, after a disputed point prompted an online backlash and racist abuse. The world number four used a video-review system following a flickering advertising board, securing a 7-5, 6-1 win in Beijing.

The Disputed Point and Video Review at the National Tennis Center

The controversy unfolded during the tenth game of the opening set on October 5, 2026, at the National Tennis Center in Beijing. Serving at 4-5, American star Coco Gauff stopped play mid-rally when electronic LED advertising boards lining the court flickered. Her 16-year-old Chinese opponent, Sun Xinran, was appearing on a wildcard entry for her WTA Tour debut after recently winning the US Open junior title.

Sun appeared poised to win the point and take a commanding advantage before Gauff raised her hand. Following a video review, the chair umpire ruled in Gauff’s favor under tournament regulations allowing players to challenge distractions. Gauff won the replayed point, held serve to equalize at 5-5, and eventually captured the first set 7-5 before dominating the second set 6-1 to reach the fourth round.

During the match, Gauff had been serving at 15-15 in the 4-5 game when the signage changed. After losing the initial rally, she requested an official review, which confirmed the electronic display had indeed flickered during play. The chair umpire subsequently awarded a hindrance call, requiring the point to be replayed rather than allowing Sun to claim a 30-15 lead.

We are told before the matches we are allowed to continue to finish play so KEEP IT (sic) MIND i am thinking about all of this while i’m playing the point. anything can be challenged after the point is over…

Coco Gauff, via Fox News

Social Media Backlash and Condemnation of Racist Abuse

The decision to replay the point triggered intense debate across social media, with critics arguing that Gauff only requested a review because she lost the initial rally. While some tennis analysts and fans debated the fairness of the rule, the online reaction quickly escalated into targeted harassment. Gauff revealed she received a wave of abusive direct messages containing racial slurs.

Responding directly to the vitriol on X, the two-time Grand Slam champion condemned the behavior while defending her adherence to official tournament rules.

hey everyone, you can dislike me or disagree about what happened without being racist.

Coco Gauff, via Fox News

Gauff added a firm rebuttal to accusations of unsportsmanlike conduct: not a cheater or a thief. Prominent figures across the sport rallied to support her, including Boris Becker, Victoria Azarenka, and Martina Navratilova. Becker praised her resilience on social media, while Azarenka noted that video review implementation remains inconsistent across tournaments, creating difficult situations for players.

The broader issue of online harassment in women’s professional tennis has faced growing scrutiny. A study released by the WTA and World Tennis revealed that female players were subjected to more than 12,000 abusive posts and messages throughout 2025, marking an increase from approximately 8,000 incidents the previous year. Governing bodies have emphasized that collective action is necessary to address the ongoing problem.

Empathy for Sun Xinran and the Path Forward in Beijing

Sun appeared visibly emotional and in tears during the changeover following the first set, leaving home fans heartbroken over the abrupt shift in momentum. Gauff expressed deep sympathy for her teenage opponent after the match, drawing on her own early experiences on the professional tour, such as reaching the Wimbledon fourth round as a 15-year-old in 2019.

Gauff advanced to the pre-quarterfinals at the WTA Beijing tournament, where she is scheduled to face Elise Mertens on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Having claimed the China Open title previously in 2024 by defeating Karolina Muchova, Gauff remains one of the top contenders remaining in the draw following early exits from several other seeded players.

Following the conclusion of the match, Gauff offered high praise for the 16-year-old wild-card entrant, describing her as an incredible talent and player with an exceptionally bright future ahead. Gauff noted that Sun demonstrated remarkable maturity during their encounter and expressed optimism about facing her in future tournaments.

Navratilova also publicly defended the American player on social media, encouraging her to ignore the criticism from online detractors. As the tournament progresses toward the later rounds, Gauff prepares for her upcoming match in the round of 16.

More on this story: Coco Gauff defended herself on social media following intense backlash and racist abuse over a · Coco Gauff hits back at racist abuse after Beijing controversy with Boris Becker support · China Open 2026: Zheng Qinwen reaches sixteenths as Sun Xinyan loses to Gauff