Coco Gauff Calls Out Racial Abuse After China Open Incident Sparks Backlash: “I’m Not a Cheater or a Thief”

Coco Gauff will face Iva Jovic or Iga Swiatek if she beats Elise Mertens in the fourth round of the China Open.

Coco Gauff Calls Out Racial Abuse After China Open Incident Sparks Backlash: “I’m Not a Cheater or a Thief”

Coco Gauff (Image via The New York Times)

Coco Gauff hits out at an “insane” amount of racist comments following a controversial incident at the China Open. On Monday (October 5), the American ace locked horns with home favorite Sun Xinran in the third round.

The incident happened in the first set after Gauff served at 4-5. In that rally, when Sun returned a shot, the 22-year-old immediately raised her hand and requested a video review. She stopped the play because the LED on the advertisement board around the court flickered, causing a hindrance. The umpire eventually called for the point to be replayed.

Gauff won the point and eventually ended the match in her favor with a 7-5, 6-1 scoreline. Sun got very emotional after the incident.

The incident sparked mixed reactions online. Those supporting Gauff pointed out that she did not break any rules. But those criticizing her accused her of cheating and unsportsmanlike conduct.

hey everyone, you can dislike me or disagree about what happened without being racist. the amount of racist comments/dms I’ve received in the last few hours is insane. Lastly, I ‘m not a cheater or a thief.

Coco Gauff wrote on X

In another post, she explained why she decided to stop the point. She said she saw the boards flicker at the start of the point, and that when she saw it flicker once again, she raised her hands before Sun hit what would have been a winner.

I think it’s weird I’m getting hate for following the rules. Xinran is [an] incredible talent and player, I apologized for the situation at the end of the match and she completely understood. I did not like to see her so emotional as I’ve been there and I really understand what it is like but this is just the beginning of an incredible career. It was an honour to share the court in front of her home crowd.

Coco Gauff wrote in another social media post

Gauff is aiming to win her second title of the season following her victory at the Cincinnati Open, where she defeated compatriot Jessica Pegula. In Beijing, Gauff clinched the title back in 2024 by beating this year’s Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Muchova.

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Sun Xinran reminds Coco Gauff of Jessica Pegula

In Beijing, Sun Xinran competed in her very first event on the WTA Tour. In her first match, she received a walkover from Eva Lys before she eliminated 27th seed Cristina Bucsa in the second round. Following her latest match, Coco Gauff compared the Chinese ace to Jessica Pegula.

Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff (Image via The New York Times)

She doesn’t have any major weaknesses. She can get a lot of balls back and play aggressive. She hits it real flat. Kind of reminds me of Jess [Pegula] a little bit. Her standout shot? I think it depends on the player. Today she was hitting her forehand line really well. Obviously she has a great backhand, too. Killed me on a couple backhand crosses.

Coco Gauff told reporters (H/T: WTA Tour)

Gauff will next face 13th seed Elise Mertens, against whom she holds a perfect 5-0 head-to-head lead. After the China Open, the two-time Grand Slam singles champion will compete at the Wuhan Open as the defending champion. Last year, she beat Pegula in the final.

If Gauff defeats Mertens, she will lock horns with Iga Swiatek or Iva Jovic. Like Gauff, the six-time Grand Slam champion is also a former champion in Beijing, winning it in 2023. She is also chasing her second title of the season after her win at the Canadian Open (beat Elena Rybakina). Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka have crashed out of the tournament.

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