Coco Gauff Labeled ‘Cheater’ After What She Did During China Open Match Against 16-Year-Old Opponent – “Seriously Disappointing”

Coco Gauff has found herself on the receiving end of intense criticism due to an incident during her match against home favorite Sun Xinran in the third round of the China Open on Monday (October 5). The incident happened in the first set.

Gauff was serving at 4-5. During the rally, the 16-year-old thought she had smashed a winner, but Gauff raised her hand to stop the point because the LED advertising boards flickered, and she requested a video review.

The chair umpire called for the point to be replayed as the flickering was a hindrance. Gauff won the point, the set, and eventually the match 7-5, 6-1. Following the controversial incident, Sun was seen in tears.

Watch the video here:

This is the moment where Coco Gauff asked for a video review after a poor volley and an easy put away by Sun. It was a vital point in the match, Sun went onto to lose the replayed point and never recovered losing the next 9 of 10 games and was very upset. https://t.co/Hz0NckTSxM

— Pavvy G (@pavyg) October 5, 2026

As expected, Gauff was heavily criticized, with many accusing her of cheating. The 22-year-old took to her social media and insisted that she is not a cheater, and she also revealed that she has received an “insane” amount of racial abuse.

Xinran is now crying because Gauff cheated Shame on Coco. Disgraceful behavior https://t.co/FVRgOqcZcR

— Corvath Draemir (@Archaicmind3000) October 5, 2026

Fans call out Coco Gauff after the hindrance incident at the China Open

While some fans understood that Coco Gauff did not break any rules, others accused her of unsportsmanlike conduct. Those criticizing her believe Gauff wouldn’t have requested the video review had she won the point.

Check out their reactions here:

@HariomK61498 If you play tennis, you can clearly tell she’s cheating after watching that volley

— Jim (@Jim_TrustWallet) October 6, 2026

@HariomK61498 If that was intentional, that’s seriously disappointing.

— Mukesh Kumar Rao (@Raoboy45) October 5, 2026

@HariomK61498 It’s how Americans win. They cheat at everything. Track & field, cycling … . They are also the whiniest when it comes to tennis. She is playing a 16 year old. Coco should of just accepted she lost the point?

— Rick Silurian (@RickSilurian) October 5, 2026

@HariomK61498 Vergonzoso, no es la primera vez q Gauff hace algo sucio

— C.kampillo (@Kampillo1) October 5, 2026

@HariomK61498 Coco Cheater !

— koala Repu (@Niansso) October 5, 2026

@Archaicmind3000 Coco is not a personal to idolize.

— Bond Plate (@BankitBond19) October 5, 2026

@Archaicmind3000 Gauff has turned into anything but a fair player. She lost good sportsmanship some time ago.

— Julius Debuschewitz (@JuliusDebu17c) October 5, 2026

Gauff is a one-time champion in Beijing, winning in 2024 by beating this year’s Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Muchova. Last year, however, she failed to defend her title, losing to eventual champion Amanda Anisimova in the semifinals. Anisimova withdrew from the event due to a wrist injury.

Gauff is also aiming to win her second title of the season, following her victory at the Cincinnati Open, where she ended her title drought by beating countrywoman Jessica Pegula. It was her first title since her win at the 2025 Wuhan Open.

Before the Cincinnati event, Gauff also reached the finals of the Miami Open and the Italian Open, losing both to Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina, respectively.

Coco Gauff praises Sun Xinran after reaching the fourth round

Sun made her WTA Tour debut at this China Open, and in her first match, she received a walkover from Eva Lys. Later in the second round, she defeated Cristina Bucsa to schedule her match against Gauff, who, following the win, only had praise for the teenager.

I think she’s a little bit more mature than I was at 16. I think I got a little bit more frustrated than she did. But she’s an incredible player. I knew going in it was going to be a tough match. The junior career that she’s had is incredible, and obviously she’s going to do great at this level. I think this is the first of many matches on this court and many matches that we will play against each other. I’m looking forward to the future matchups we have.

Coco Gauff said during her post-match interview (H/T: WTA Tour)

Gauff will lock horns with Elise Mertens in the fourth round of the China Open. The two-time Grand Slam singles champion holds a perfect 5-0 head-to-head record over Mertens, last playing her in the third round of this year’s Dubai Tennis Championships. Prior to setting up the match against Gauff, Mertens knocked out Jelena Ostapenko.

The winner of the Gauff versus Mertens match will face Iva Jovic or 2023 China Open champion Iga Swiatek. The Pole, like Gauff, is chasing her second title of the season, after her win at the Canadian Open.

Following the China Open, these players will compete at the Wuhan Open, the main draw of which starts on October 12. It’s the last WTA 1000 event of the season.

Also read: Iga Swiatek Reveals Why She Was ‘Angry’ After Surviving Scare at China Open