# China Open: Coco Gauff discusses ‘exhausting period’ following racist comments on social media
Coco Gauff described the past few days as “draining” after receiving racist abuse online before her fourth-round exit from the China Open.
The American was subjected to an “insane” volume of racist comments and direct messages following an incident during her third-round victory over 16-year-old Sun Xinran on Monday.
Sun believed she had struck a winner late in the first set, but Gauff raised her hand to stop play due to a flickering light in the side panels surrounding the court. Following a video review, which players are permitted to request, the point was replayed. Gauff won the point and eventually won the match.
The 22-year-old posted a lengthy statement explaining the situation and later condemned the racist abuse she received in response.
Gauff was defeated 6-3 6-3 by Elise Mertens in her next match on Wednesday.
Impact of Online Abuse
When asked about her experience over the previous 36 hours, Gauff said: “It has been kind of draining, I’m not going to lie.”
“I just turn off my phone and move on. I mean, there’s nothing you can do.”
A Women’s Tennis Association spokesperson said the governing body was appalled by the abuse and was in contact with Gauff “to offer our full support.”
The statement said the organization was “seeking action” against the abusive content.
Match Performance
Gauff, who won the title in Beijing in 2024, committed 34 unforced errors and eight double faults against Mertens.
“I was just a bit flat. That’s the main thing,” Gauff said.
“The level was there at some points, I just didn’t sustain it the whole match.”
Belgium’s Mertens will face former world number one Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals after the six-time major champion defeated American teenager Iva Jovic 6-1 6-3.
Other Results
Britain’s Arthur Fery defeated Marin Cilic 7-6 (7-2) 6-1 in the Shanghai Masters first round.
Fery came back from a break down in the first set before dominating the former US Open champion in the second to claim his first ATP Tour win since August.
The 24-year-old will face Russia’s 26th seed Karen Khachanov next.