American tennis player Coco Gauff has faced accusations of unsportsmanlike conduct and subsequent racist abuse online following a contentious victory at the China Open.
The controversy arose during Gauff's first-set match against 16-year-old Chinese opponent Sun Xinran. Trailing 5-4, Gauff stopped play mid-rally after a shot, claiming a flickering light on the court had distracted her. The point was replayed, and Gauff went on to win the match decisively, taking 10 of the next 11 games.
Social media platforms became a focal point for reactions, with Gauff directly addressing a racist comment directed at her. "You can dislike me or disagree about what happened without being racist," Gauff stated on X, formerly Twitter. "The amount of racist comments/dms I’ve received in the last few hours is insane. Lastly, I'm not a cheater or a thief."
Her post was amplified, and the platform later limited the visibility of hateful conduct. Gauff received widespread support from fans following the racist attacks.
In a separate statement, Gauff sought to clarify her actions during the match. She explained that a flicker from a side panel light occurred at the beginning of the point, though she was initially unsure if she had actually seen it. Gauff noted that players are permitted to finish a point before challenging, a rule she believes is standard in many sports. She added that if she had lost the point, her opponent would have been within her rights to request a replay.
Gauff stated that the light flickered again before her opponent hit the ball, which is when she became certain and raised her hands. She acknowledged the situation was unfortunate but outside her control, calling the accusations of unfair play "ridiculous" given the rules. "I did not make them, I think it's weird I'm getting hate for following the rules," she wrote.
She expressed respect for Xinran, calling her an "incredible talent and player," and mentioned apologizing to her after the match, which Xinran understood. "I did not like to see her so emotional as I've been there and I really understand what it is like but this is just the beginning of an incredible career," Gauff added, calling it an "honor to share the court in front of her home crowd."
Gauff is set to compete against Elise Mertens in the round of 16.
