Coco Gauff has strongly condemned racist abuse directed at her following a controversial moment during her China Open victory over Chinese teenager Sun Xinran.
Gauff defeated Sun 7 5, 6 1 to reach the fourth round in Beijing, but attention quickly shifted to a disputed point in the opening set.
Reuters reports that Gauff stopped play because of a flickering advertising board as Sun was attempting a shot. After a video review, the umpire ordered the point to be replayed.
Gauff won the replayed point and later apologized to Sun, whom she praised as an impressive young talent.
But the incident generated an intense reaction online.
Gauff said she received what she described as an extraordinary amount of racist abuse, arguing that people are free to disagree with what happened on court but racism and accusations of cheating cross a clear line.
The controversy comes as professional tennis attempts to tackle increasing online abuse against players.
According to Reuters, the WTA recorded more than 12,000 instances of abusive behavior targeting players during 2025.
