Overview
- A replayed point in Gauff’s third-round match in Beijing prompted boos and a rapid surge of racist comments directed at her, which she publicly condemned on X as an “insane” volume of messages.
- Gauff said the online harassment left her “draining” and she reported feeling physically exhausted during her fourth-round loss to Elise Mertens on Wednesday.
- Mertens beat Gauff 6-3, 6-3 as Gauff committed 34 unforced errors and eight double faults and told her team she had “no energy” and felt like she might pass out.
- The Women’s Tennis Association called the abuse “appalling,” said it was offering Gauff support and said it is seeking action against the abusive content on social platforms.
- Gauff withdrew from the Wuhan Open citing the need to rest and recover, an outcome that sharpens calls for clearer on‑court hindrance protocols, better venue tech safeguards for flickering LED panels, and faster platform moderation to protect players’ welfare.