Coco Gauff, the 19‑year‑old American tennis star, said she was subjected to an “insane” amount of racist comments after a disputed point during her victory over Sun Xinran at the China Open on Monday.
The incident occurred in the early stages of the tournament, when Gauff was playing against Chinese qualifier Sun Xinran. A point that was contested by the officials sparked a wave of online abuse directed at the young champion.
Gauff publicly addressed the harassment, describing the volume of racist remarks she received as “insane.” She did not provide further details about the nature of the comments or the identity of those who posted them.
Her statement comes amid growing concerns over online hate and the safety of athletes, particularly in high‑profile sporting events. The China Open, part of the WTA Tour, has seen a number of players express discomfort with the digital backlash they face during competitions.
Gauff’s experience highlights the broader issue of racism in sports, a topic that continues to be debated by players, governing bodies and fans alike. The tournament organisers have yet to issue a formal response to the incident.
<small>Source: ESPN — read the original story there.</small>
