# Coco Gauff discusses ‘exhausting period’ following social media racial harassment

Coco Gauff described the past few days as “draining” after receiving racist abuse online before her fourth-round exit from the China Open.

The American said she received an “insane” amount of racist comments and direct messages following an incident during her third-round victory over 16-year-old Sun Xinran on Monday.

Sun Xinran thought she had hit a winner late in the first set, but Gauff raised her hand to halt play because of a flickering light in the side panels surrounding the court. After a video review, which players are allowed to request, the point was replayed. Gauff won it and subsequently clinched the match.

The 22-year-old posted a lengthy statement explaining what had happened and later condemned the racist abuse she received in response.

Gauff was beaten 6-3 6-3 in her next match against Elise Mertens on Wednesday.

Asked how she had felt over the past 36 hours, Gauff said: “It has been kind of draining, I’m not going to lie.

“I just turn off my phone and move on. I mean, there’s nothing you can do.”

A spokesperson for the Women’s Tennis Association said it was appalled by the abuse. The governing body said it was in contact with Gauff “to offer our full support” and was “seeking action” against the abusive content.

Gauff, who won the title in Beijing in 2024, committed 34 unforced errors and eight double faults against Mertens.

“I was just a bit flat. That’s the main thing,” Gauff said.

“The level was there at some points, I just didn’t sustain it the whole match.”

Belgium’s Mertens will play former world number one Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals after the six-time major champion beat American teenager Iva Jovic 6-1 6-3.

Shanghai Masters

Britain’s Arthur Fery beat Marin Cilic 7-6 (7-2) 6-1 in the Shanghai Masters first round.

Fery came back from a break down in the first set before dominating the former US Open champion in the second to claim his first ATP Tour win since August.

The 24-year-old will face Russia’s 26th seed Karen Khachanov next.