# Coco Gauff Bows Out of China Open Following Mentally Draining Spell of Online Racist Abuse

> Coco Gauff exited the China Open in the fourth round against Elise Mertens following days of online racist abuse sparked by a court-panel dispute, prompting the WTA to pledge support and pursue action.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Tennis · **Published:** 2026-10-07 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/tennis/china-open-men-nalaina-nasliya-tippani-ke-bada-coco-gauff-chauthe-daura-men-bahara-wta-ne-diya-samarthana-44625 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Coco Gauff, China Open, Tennis, Elise Mertens, Iga Swiatek, WTA

Defending champion Coco Gauff saw her campaign at the China Open come to an end in the fourth round on Wednesday, just days after enduring a barrage of racist abuse on social media. The 22-year-old American fell to a straight-sets 6-3 6-3 defeat against Belgium's Elise Mertens, later describing the preceding 36 hours as an emotionally exhausting period that left her struggling to maintain intensity on the court.

## Controversial Video Review Sparks Online Harassment
The hostile reaction stemmed from an incident in Gauff's previous contest against China's Sun. Late in the opening set, Sun believed she had struck a clean winner to claim a pivotal point. However, Gauff raised her hand during the rally to stop play, pointing out a flickering light on the digital side panels surrounding the court surface. Under tournament regulations, players are permitted to request a video review of such incidents.

Following the official video review, the umpire ruled that the point had to be replayed. Gauff went on to win the replayed point and eventually secured the match victory. Following that contest, the 22-year-old published an extensive statement outlining the circumstances of the stoppage and openly condemning the racist abuse directed at her online in the aftermath. When questioned about the toll the situation took over the following 36 hours, Gauff acknowledged that it had been kind of draining, explaining that she copes by switching off her device and moving forward because there is little else one can do.

## Tennis Authorities Demand Action Over Abuse
The treatment directed at Gauff drew sharp condemnation from the Women's Tennis Association. A spokesperson for the governing body stated that the organisation was appalled by the online abuse and confirmed it had reached out directly to Gauff to offer full support. In a statement provided to the AFP news agency, the governing body emphasized that it was actively seeking action against the offensive posts and accounts responsible for targeting the athlete.

## Costly Errors Doom Title Defense Against Mertens
Having claimed the Beijing crown in 2024 and reached the semi-finals last year, Gauff struggled to find her usual rhythm during Wednesday's fourth-round clash. The American racked up 34 unforced errors and eight double faults over the two sets, allowing Mertens to dictate terms. Reflecting on her performance, Gauff noted that she felt somewhat flat throughout the match, explaining that while her quality showed in brief spells, she was unable to sustain that level over the entire contest.

## Quarter-Final Lineup Takes Shape in Beijing
With her victory over the reigning champion, Belgium's Elise Mertens moves into the quarter-finals to take on former world number one Iga Swiatek. The six-time major champion earned her spot in the final eight with a commanding 6-1 6-3 victory over American teenager Iva Jovic. While the tournament progresses, the handling of player protection against digital harassment remains a critical focus across the sport.

## What this means for you
The incident highlights how online hostility continues to affect the mental stamina and match focus of elite competitors.

- **For Sports Fans:** Increased scrutiny is focusing on hate speech directed at players across major online platforms. Observers and communities are urged to promote respectful engagement and report abusive behaviour online.
- **For Professional Athletes:** Stepping away from digital devices during high-stakes tournaments has become a necessary coping mechanism. Disconnecting from social channels helps players shield themselves from toxic negativity before critical fixtures.
- **For Governing Bodies:** Pressure is growing on sports federations to work with tech platforms to hold abusive users accountable. Organisations are taking formal steps to protect athletes' digital safety alongside on-court security.
- **For the Tournament Bracket:** Elise Mertens advances to meet six-time major winner Iga Swiatek in a high-profile quarter-final. Fans following the Beijing event can expect intense competition as the title race narrows.

## Why this happened
A contested in-match technological glitch triggered online racial hostility, disrupting the defending champion's preparation.

- **On-Court Distraction:** Gauff stopped a point during Sun's apparent winner due to flickering court-side digital lighting. A permitted video review confirmed the distraction, requiring the point to be replayed according to tour rules.
- **Backlash on Social Platforms:** After Gauff won the replayed point and the match, abusive users flooded social media with racist comments. The public explanation provided by Gauff failed to halt the wave of toxicity directed toward her.
- **Lapse in Concentration:** The emotional strain over the subsequent 36 hours degraded Gauff's energy reserves and focus. Consequently, she committed 34 unforced errors and eight double faults during her fourth-round loss to Mertens.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Who defeated Coco Gauff in the fourth round of the China Open?
Belgium's Elise Mertens defeated Coco Gauff in straight sets, 6-3 6-3.

### 2. Why did Gauff halt play during her match against Sun?
Gauff raised her hand to stop play because of a flickering light in the side panels surrounding the court.

### 3. How did the Women's Tennis Association respond to the abuse directed at Gauff?
The WTA stated it was appalled by the abuse, offered full support to Gauff, and confirmed it was seeking action against the offensive content.

### 4. How many errors did Gauff commit against Elise Mertens?
Gauff registered 34 unforced errors and eight double faults during the fourth-round defeat.

### 5. Who will Elise Mertens face in the quarter-finals?
Mertens will face former world number one and six-time major champion Iga Swiatek.

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