Coco Gauff of the U.S. reacts during her round of 16 match against Belgium’s Elise Mertens
4 in the world. The controversy began during Gauff’s China Open match against 17-year-old Sun Xinran on Monday. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Gauff won the replayed point and held serve to level the set at 5-5 before taking control of the match. Tennis – China Open – National Tennis Center, Beijing, China – October 7, 2026 Coco Gauff of the U.S. leaves the court after losing her round of 16 match against Belgium’s Elise Mertens REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
The office described the messages as “appalling” and said they illustrated how Black female athletes are specifically targeted with vitriol and racial abuse. “There is no place in sport for racial or sexist slurs and abuse,” the office said. Gauff subsequently lost to Elise Mertens two days after her China Open victory over Sun, saying she had “no energy” and felt as though she would pass out.
The United Nations’ human rights office, led by High Commissioner Volker Türk, issued a statement on social media condemning the abuse directed at Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam champion ranked No. “Players, coaches, and sports bodies need to stand up for those facing such attacks and fans need to push back against those who sully sport with racism and sexism. Sun, who received a wildcard for the tournament, was making her WTA Tour debut after recently winning the US Open junior title. Xinran Sun of China, reacts during the third round of the women’s singles match against Coco Gauff of the United States, at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Monday, Oct. the ensuing online reaction went beyond criticism of the decision and included racist insults and abusive direct messages Although the American’s actions prompted debate about the incident. The incident nevertheless became a wider controversy, with the abuse continuing after the match itself had ended.
