Coco Gauff Says Online Racist Abuse Left Her 'Drained' Following China Open Defeat

American tennis star Coco Gauff has spoken out about the emotional toll of racist abuse she received online, describing the experience as exhausting in the aftermath of her third-round exit from the China Open in Beijing. The world number four, who turned 22 this year, addressed the issue candidly during her post-match press conference on Wednesday following a straight-sets loss to Belgium's Elise Mertens.

Gauff, one of the most prominent Black athletes in professional tennis, revealed that the barrage of racist comments and messages she encountered on social media had affected her significantly. "It has been kind of draining. I'm not going to lie," she told reporters when asked how the abuse had impacted her. She added that her coping mechanism has been to disconnect from the online sphere entirely, explaining, "But I just turn off my phone and move on. There's nothing you can do."

The abuse followed Gauff's previous match against Chinese teenager Sun Xinran, during which she requested a video review over what she described as flickering LED lights on the stadium's advertising hoardings. The challenge prompted boos from sections of the crowd, though the umpire ultimately agreed to replay the point. Gauff went on to win that match 7-5, 6-1, but the incident appears to have fueled a wave of hostile and racially charged commentary directed at her online.

In the early hours of Tuesday, Gauff took to social media platform X to address the situation directly. She wrote, "Hey everyone, you can dislike me or disagree about what happened without being racist," responding to a post that contained a racial slur. In a separate message, she expressed shock at the volume of abuse, stating, "The amount of racist comments and messages I've received in the last few hours is insane." The tennis star also sought to clarify the circumstances surrounding her challenge, explaining that she had raised the issue before Sun had returned the ball, at a moment when she noticed the lights flicker for a second time.

The Women's Tennis Association, the sport's global governing body, responded swiftly to the situation. A spokesperson stated that the organization was "appalled by the racial abuse directed at Coco Gauff" and confirmed it was "in contact with her to offer our full support." The WTA further emphasized in its statement to AFP that there is "no place for racism, discrimination, or abuse in tennis," adding that it was "seeking action" against the abusive content. The governing body's response underscores the growing pressure on sports organizations to protect athletes from online harassment.

Gauff's performance on court against Mertens was notably below her usual standard, as she struggled with her serve throughout the match. The American double-faulted eight times and appeared uncharacteristically listless during the 6-3, 6-3 defeat. When asked about her play, Gauff was candid in her self-assessment: "I think I just didn't play well. I think I wasn't moving well. There were a lot of things I didn't do well. I thought Elise played well on the bigger points."

Mertens, the world number 19, acknowledged the difficulty of the matchup despite the scoreline. She described Gauff as an "incredible player" and admitted, "I knew it was going to be a very tough match." The Belgian dedicated her victory to her coach, who is also her boyfriend, and advanced to a quarterfinal clash against Poland's Iga Swiatek. Swiatek, the world number nine, had earlier dispatched American teenager Iva Jovic 6-1, 6-3 in a match lasting one hour and 35 minutes. "I had it under control from the beginning," Swiatek said. "I feel like I'm improving every day."

Gauff's history at the China Open added another layer of significance to the loss. She won the tournament title in 2024 and reached the semifinals last year, making her early exit this year particularly disappointing. Despite the subdued atmosphere in the largely empty stadium on Wednesday, a small group of supporters attempted to rally behind her and encourage a comeback. Their efforts, however, were not enough to turn the match around.

The incident highlights a broader issue facing athletes in the digital age, where social media platforms can serve as conduits for harassment and abuse. For Black athletes in particular, racist abuse has become a recurring problem that sports governing bodies and tech companies have struggled to address effectively. The WTA's pledge to seek action against abusive content reflects an increasing awareness of the need for accountability, though the effectiveness of such measures remains a subject of debate.

Gauff's willingness to speak publicly about her experience also raises questions about the psychological burden placed on athletes who must contend with both the pressures of competition and the toxicity of online spaces. Her decision to disengage from her phone represents a personal coping strategy, but it also highlights the limitations of individual solutions to a systemic problem. The comments she received were not merely criticism of her on-court actions but attacks rooted in her racial identity, a distinction she made clear in her social media posts.

The China Open continues with several high-profile matches still to come. China's Zheng Qinwen, a fan favorite, was scheduled to face 118th-ranked Alina Charaeva later on Wednesday, while Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, the sixth seed, was set to play American Ann Li. As the tournament progresses, attention will remain on how the sport's institutions respond to the abuse directed at one of its most visible stars.

For Gauff, the immediate challenge is to recover both emotionally and competitively as she moves forward in the season. Her words in Beijing served as a reminder that behind the rankings and the trophies, athletes remain human beings navigating a complex and often hostile digital landscape. The tennis world now waits to see whether the promises of support and action translate into meaningful change.