Coco Gauff Says Racist Abuse Has Been ‘Draining’ at China Open

Coco Gauff exhibited a lackluster performance at the China Open on Wednesday, falling behind to Elise Mertens in the second set. Gauff, the current world No. 4, lost the match in straight sets. Following the defeat, Gauff admitted to feeling mentally drained by the onslaught of online abuse she has faced in recent days. She stated that she had no energy and feared passing out during the second set.

Gauff explained that she chooses to turn off her phone and move on, as there is no solution to the problem. On Monday, Gauff tangled with Sun Xinran in a match marked by controversy. During the first set, Gauff called a stop to a rally, claiming the electronic display boards were flickering, leading to the point being replayed. The chair umpire allowed Gauff to proceed, and she secured the game and ultimately won the match in two sets.

Gauff addressed a racist comment she received online, responding to a tweet that contained a racial slur. She emphasized that people are free to dislike or disagree with her without resorting to racism. Gauff also detailed the incident in an extensive response, describing it as an "unfortunate situation" and criticizing the notion that she cheated.

She forgave Xinran after the match, and Xinran accepted Gauff's apology. Gauff announced on Wednesday that she is withdrawing from the Wuhan Masters, another 1000 event, due to fatigue. She expressed disappointment, as she was the defending champion, but acknowledged that her body requires rest and recovery after a challenging year.