Coco Gauff claps back at racial abuse after replay controversy at the China Open turns nasty

Controversy at the China Open has led to American tennis star Coco Gauff facing racially abusive language on social media following her Round of 32 victory over rising star Sun Xinran. Gauff’s victory came with a mountain of controversy after she asked to replay a point when the LED boards on the side of the court flickered during the rally. Some people on social media sent her racist messages after the match, prompting her to respond. “Hey everyone, you can dislike me or disagree about what happened without being racist,” she wrote on X in response to one vulgar post that used a racial epithet.“The amount of racist comments/DMs I’ve received in the last few hours is insane.

Lastly, I’m not a cheater or a thief.”The American trailed 5-4 in the set, and Xinran looked as though she was about to win the point to take a lead in the game when Gauff raised her arm. The chair umpire ruled in Gauff’s favor after a video review.The World No.

4 went on to win the point as Xinran completely collapsed and lost in straight sets, 7-6, 6-1. But Gauff’s decision had angered some fans, especially after broadcasters appeared to notice that the LED boards had been flickering before and Gauff played through it. Gauff wrote a detailed response to the criticism toward her in an Instagram comment, starting off by saying that she had seen the LED boards flickering to start the point but “was not sure if that is what I actually saw.” “We are told before the matches we are allowed to continue to finish play so KEEP IT MIND I am thinking about all of this while i’m playing the point.,” Gauff wrote.“Anything can be challenged after the point is over (as in most sports you can review a call after the play is over, I personally think is the correct rule).

If I would’ve lost the point my opponent is also free to do the same thing and ask for a replay and she would’ve have been completely in her right to do so.”She continued on in the comment, “when ...