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Coco Gauff speaks out about ‘insane’ wave of racist abuse online after replayed point
The American tennis star said the backlash went far beyond normal criticism of a match, with racist comments flooding her social media accounts after a disputed point was replayed during the match.
Gauff said the experience was difficult to process, particularly because much of the reaction appeared to have little to do with tennis itself.
A Controversial Moment on Court
Gauff faced 18-year-old Chinese player Sun Xinran at the China Open in Beijing, where a replayed point became a major talking point.
The incident quickly spilled beyond the court and onto social media, where Gauff said she was subjected to a barrage of abusive messages.
Rather than simply debating the officiating or the point, some users directed racist attacks at the 22-year-old American.
Gauff has previously spoken about the pressures that come with being a highly visible Black athlete, but she said the scale of the latest abuse was particularly striking.
“Insane” Amount of Abuse
Gauff described the volume of racist comments as “insane,” saying she was shocked by how quickly the situation escalated online.
The 2023 US Open champion has built a reputation for speaking openly about issues affecting athletes, particularly when conversations extend beyond competition.
Her latest comments again highlighted how social media can turn a moment during a sporting event into a much larger and more personal attack.
For Gauff, the experience was another reminder that criticism of an athlete's performance and racist abuse are two very different things.
Racism Remains a Problem in Tennis
Gauff's experience also shines a light on a broader issue facing professional tennis and other major sports.
Athletes increasingly interact directly with fans through social media, creating opportunities for connection but also giving abusive users immediate access to them.
Racist abuse directed at athletes has repeatedly made headlines across professional sports, prompting calls for stronger moderation and greater accountability on social platforms.
For Black athletes like Gauff, those attacks can add another layer to the already intense scrutiny that comes with competing at the highest level.
Gauff Refuses to Let Abuse Define Her
Despite the backlash, Gauff has continued to compete and speak candidly about the realities of life as one of tennis's biggest stars.
The young American has already dealt with enormous expectations throughout her career, winning her first Grand Slam title at 19 and becoming one of the most recognizable players in the sport.
Her willingness to address the abuse publicly could also help draw attention to an issue that many athletes experience privately.
The criticism may have started with a disputed point, but for Gauff, the aftermath became something much bigger — and much more troubling.
Source: NBC News
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