World No. 4 Coco Gauff exited the China Open in Beijing during the Round of 16 following a 3-6, 3-6 defeat to Elise Mertens, revealing that an intense wave of online racist harassment following a previous disputed point left her physically and mentally drained.
Mertens Boosts Ranking Momentum After Victory
- Elise Mertens’ victory and subsequent advance to the quarterfinals boost her ranking momentum.
Electronic Board Distraction Triggers Online Hostility Toward Gauff
The controversy began earlier in the tournament during Gauff’s third-round match against Chinese teenager Sun Xinran. With the 16-year-old local rising star on the verge of winning a crucial point late in the first set, play was halted because flickering electronic advertising boards distracted Gauff. The chair umpire ruled that the point should be replayed, prompting boos from the stadium crowd. Gauff ultimately regrouped to claim the match 7-5, 6-1, but the ruling triggered a massive wave of online hostility.
Speaking out on social media and to reporters, Gauff condemned the onslaught. She called out the “insane” amount of racist messages she received and explicitly stated, “I’m not a cheater or a thief.” Gauff also clarified that she challenged the point before Sun had returned the ball, noticing the stadium lights flicker for a second time.
Psychological Toll and On-Court Struggles Against Mertens
The mental burden of the online abuse directly bled into Gauff’s preparation for her Round of 16 clash against Elise Mertens. Gauff, who entered the match with a five-match winning streak against Mertens, lacked her usual court coverage and tactical sharpness. She committed 34 unforced errors and eight double faults during the straight-sets defeat.
“It has been kind of draining, I’m not going to lie,” Gauff admitted to reporters. “I just turn off my phone and move on. There’s nothing you can do.” During the match itself, Gauff informed her coaching team that she had “no energy” and felt as though she might pass out. “I think today I was just a bit flat,” Gauff reflected. “I just didn’t play well. I think I wasn’t moving well. There were a lot of things I didn’t do well.”
| Match Statistic | Coco Gauff | Elise Mertens |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 3-6, 3-6 | 6-3, 6-3 |
| Unforced Errors | 34 | Controlled |
| Double Faults | 8 | Low |
| Tournament Stage | Round of 16 Exit | Quarterfinal Advance |
WTA Response and Milestone for Mertens
In response to the targeted harassment, a spokesperson for the Women’s Tennis Association issued a statement affirming that the governing body was “appalled by the racial abuse directed at Coco Gauff and are in contact with her to offer our full support.”
