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How the disputed call and online abuse shaped Gauff’s difficult week

Coco Gauff’s week at the China Open took a sharp turn after a disputed umpire call during her third-round match against 16-year-old Sun Xinran on October 5. The controversy arose when Gauff halted play mid-rally, citing distraction from flickering electronic boards near the court.

Though the chair umpire ruled the point must be replayed—citing an uncontrollable hindrance—online criticism quickly escalated into racist abuse directed at Gauff, forcing her to address the backlash publicly. Despite the incident, Gauff won the match 7–5, 6–1, advancing to the round of 16 before losing to Elise Mertens.

She later withdrew from the 2026 Wuhan Open, citing the need for rest after a grueling season and the emotional toll of the controversy, which also meant she’ll miss defending her 2025 Wuhan title. Gauff apologized to Sun after the match, acknowledging the awkwardness of the situation, while emphasizing that the abuse crossed a line beyond legitimate debate over the call.

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