‘Draining’ few days for Gauff after online racist abuse

LONDON, United Kingdom, Oct 7 – Coco Gauff said she had a “draining” few days after receiving racist abuse online before her fourth-round China Open exit. The American received an “insane” amount of racist comments and direct messages following an incident in her third-round win over 16-year-old Sun Xinran on Monday. China’s Sun thought she had hit a winner late in the first set, but Gauff raised her hand to halt play because of a flickering light in the side panels surrounding the court. After a video review – which players are allowed to request – the point was replayed, with Gauff winnin...

The American received an “insane” amount of racist comments and direct messages following an incident in her third-round win over 16-year-old Sun Xinran on Monday.

China’s Sun thought she had hit a winner late in the first set, but Gauff raised her hand to halt play because of a flickering light in the side panels surrounding the court.

After a video review – which players are allowed to request – the point was replayed, with Gauff winning it and subsequently going on to clinch the match.

The 22-year-old posted a lengthy statement explaining what had happened and later condemned the racist abuse she received in response.

Gauff was beaten 6-3 6-3 in her next match against Elise Mertens on Wednesday.

Asked how she had felt over the past 36 hours, Gauff said: “It has been kind of draining, I’m not going to lie.

“I just turn off my phone and move on. I mean, there’s nothing you can do.”

Source: Capital FM Sports