Key Takeaways:
- Coco Gauff withdraws from the Wuhan Open.
- Online racist abuse takes a toll.
- Fatigue affects her China Open performance.
Coco Gauff’s campaign at the China Open ended in disappointment after the American third seed suffered a straight-sets defeat to Elise Mertens in the fourth round. Gauff lost 6-3, 6-3, bringing her run in Beijing to an early conclusion after a tournament marked by both competitive pressure and controversy.
The defeat was Mertens’ first victory over Gauff in six career meetings. The Belgian produced a controlled performance and consistently challenged Gauff’s rhythm, preventing the American from building sustained momentum. Gauff struggled with her consistency throughout the match and was unable to find a way back after falling behind.
Gauff had entered the tournament among the leading contenders and had successfully navigated the opening rounds. She began with a three-set victory over Camila Osorio before defeating 16-year-old Chinese player Sun Xinran 7-5, 6-1 to reach the fourth round.
The loss to Mertens came after a demanding few days for Gauff, both on and off the court. While the result itself ended her hopes of progressing further in Beijing, the circumstances surrounding her previous match had also placed additional attention on the American.
Online Backlash Adds to a Difficult Tournament
Gauff faced significant online criticism following her match against Sun Xinran. During the contest, the American stopped play after noticing a flickering advertising board while Sun was preparing to hit the ball.
The umpire reviewed the situation and ordered the point to be replayed. Gauff eventually won the replayed point, but the decision quickly became a subject of debate on social media.
The criticism escalated beyond normal discussion of a controversial tennis decision. Gauff later said she had received a substantial amount of racist abuse online following the incident. She acknowledged that athletes can face criticism after contentious moments but emphasized that disagreement should not lead to racist attacks.
The episode appeared to take an emotional toll on the 22-year-old. Gauff said she attempted to distance herself from the online reaction by stepping away from her phone and limiting her exposure to social media.
The incident also highlighted the wider issue of online abuse in professional tennis. The WTA recorded more than 12,000 instances of online abuse involving players in 2025, demonstrating the scale of harassment that can accompany high-profile competition.
For Gauff, the experience came during an already demanding part of the season. Players competing in the Asian swing face a packed schedule, with tournaments taking place across different cities and conditions before the season-ending events.
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Wuhan Withdrawal Gives Gauff Time to Recover
Shortly after her defeat to Mertens, Gauff withdrew from the Wuhan Open, scheduled to begin on October 12. The decision means she will not return to the tournament to defend the title she won in 2025.
Gauff is one of several prominent players missing from this year’s Wuhan field. World No. 1 Elena Rybakina, Naomi Osaka and Amanda Anisimova are also among the notable absentees.
Her withdrawal allows Gauff to step away from competition following a physically and emotionally demanding period. Rather than immediately moving to another WTA 1000 tournament, she will have additional time to recover and prepare for the remainder of the season.
The decision also comes as Gauff continues to manage the expectations that accompany her position among the leading players on the women’s tour. The American has established herself as one of the sport’s biggest stars, meaning performances on court are often accompanied by intense attention away from it.
The Wuhan Open will run from October 12 to October 18 and represents the final WTA 1000 tournament of the season. Gauff’s absence means the defending champion will not have the opportunity to retain her title this year.
For now, her immediate focus shifts from competition to recovery. After a difficult China Open campaign and an intense period of online scrutiny, the decision to step away from Wuhan provides Gauff with valuable time before returning to the tour.
