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Coco Gauff Opens Up About Racist Attacks and Cheating Accusations Prior to Shocking Tournament Exit

World No. 4 tennis star Coco Gauff withdrew from the Wuhan Open after enduring a torrent of online abuse following a controversial match call in China.

During her China Open semifinal against 16-year-old Sun Xinran, Gauff halted play over flickering LED advertising boards obstructing her view, a decision that sparked accusations of cheating from some fans. Though she won the point 7-5, 6-1, critics claimed she stopped play only after realizing her opponent’s shot would have been out.

Gauff addressed the backlash on social media, dismissing racist messages as unacceptable while clarifying her reasoning for the stoppage. She later lost her next match 6-3, 6-3 to Elise Mertens, committing 34 unforced errors and eight double faults, and admitted feeling mentally drained by the experience.

Gauff, who won the 2025 Wuhan Open title by defeating Jessica Pegula, cited the need for rest and recovery after a grueling year. Her absence from the tournament—scheduled October 12–18—marks a rare step back for the rising star, who has faced increasing scrutiny amid high-profile matches.

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