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Coco Gauff Announces Major Move After Facing Racist Abuse in Beijing

Coco Gauff has withdrawn from the Wuhan Open after a physically and emotionally taxing stretch at the China Open. The 22-year-old star, who was defending her title in Wuhan, cited exhaustion following a grueling season and a recent loss to Elise Mertens in Beijing.

During that match, Gauff openly admitted to her team she was struggling, saying she had 'no energy' and could barely see the ball as she trailed 6-3, 4-1 before losing in straight sets—her first such defeat since February. Her withdrawal comes after she faced intense online backlash, including racist abuse, following her third-round victory over Sun Xinran in Beijing.

The controversy stemmed from a point where Gauff paused play, believing advertising boards had moved during her shot. Though she later clarified her decision, the criticism escalated into targeted harassment, prompting her to address the issue publicly on social media.

The incident underscored the mental toll of her demanding schedule, forcing her to prioritize recovery over competition for the time being.

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