Gauff Condemns Racist Abuse After China Open Win

Coco Gauff said she received a surge of racist abuse online after stopping a rally during her China Open win over 16-year-old Sun Xinran. Gauff said flickering courtside advertising boards distracted her; after reviewing video, the chair umpire ruled the incident an external hindrance and ordered the point replayed, which Gauff won. She defended her actions as permitted under the rules, said Sun understood her explanation and apology, and stressed that disagreement does not justify racism. Gauff won 7-5, 6-1 to reach the round of 16. The incident has renewed concern about online abuse in tennis; a WTA and World Tennis study reported more than 12,000 abusive posts and messages targeting players and officials in 2025, prompting calls for collective action.