Overview
- A flicker from LED advertising panels interrupted a rally in Gauff’s third-round match with 16-year-old Sun Xinran, the chair umpire ruled the visual disruption a hindrance and ordered the point replayed.
- Gauff publicly denounced a rapid wave of racist comments and direct messages on X after the replay decision and said the abuse left her emotionally drained so she turned off her phone.
- The world No. 4 was eliminated by Elise Mertens in the next round on Wednesday, losing 6-3, 6-3 while committing 34 unforced errors and eight double faults and telling her team she had “no energy” and felt she might pass out.
- The WTA said it was appalled by the racial abuse, confirmed it is in contact with Gauff to offer support and said it is seeking action against the abusive content.
- The episode has sharpened scrutiny of how hindrance reviews work—players may stop play and ask for a review when distracted by court-side conditions—and increased calls for clearer on-court protocols, more reliable stadium LED systems and faster, tougher moderation by social platforms.