Tennis · WTA Tour · published 2026-10-05T00:00:00+00:00 · via BBC Sport

Gauff speaks out against racist messages after China Open victory

Coco Gauff said she received racist abuse on social media after an incident during her China Open win over Sun Xinran. Gauff stopped a point because of a flickering light and later explained the situation, saying her opponent accepted her apology. She condemned the racist comments and denied being a cheater or thief.

Expanded Detail

Gauff, ranked fourth, defeated 16-year-old Sun Xinran 7-5, 6-1 in Beijing to advance to the round of 16. During the opening set, with Gauff serving at 4-5, Sun believed she had struck a winner, but Gauff halted the point because lights in the court's side panels were flickering. Gauff then held for 5-5 and lost only one more game.

Afterward, Gauff explained on X that the stoppage was beyond her control and that Sun accepted her apology. She also pushed back against racist replies and messages, saying disagreement should not include racism and rejecting labels of cheating or theft. A July report noted over 12,000 abusive posts and messages aimed at female players in 2025; the WTA and World Tennis called for collective action.

Count: first para: Gauff(1), ranked2, fourth3, defeated4, 16-year-old5, Sun6, Xinran7, 7-5,8 6-1,9 in10 Beijing11 to12 advance13 to14 the15 round16 of17 16? Wait "round of 16" = three words? round(16) of(17) 16(18). During19 the20 opening21 set22, with23 Gauff24 serving25 at26 4-5,27 Sun28 believed29 she30 had31 struck32 a33 winner34, but35 Gauff36 halted37 the38 point39 because40 lights41 in42 the43 court's44 side45 panels46 were47 flickering48. Gauff49 then50 held51 for52 5-5,53 and54 lost55 only56 one57 more58 game59. First para 59 words. Second: Afterward60, Gauff61 explained62 on63 X64 that65 the66 stoppage67 was68 beyond69 her70 control71 and72 that73 Sun74 accepted75 her76 apology77. She78 also79 pushed80 back81 against82 racist83 replies84 and85

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