UN condemns racist abuse targeting Coco Gauff

The United Nations human rights office condemned online racist abuse directed at Coco Gauff and urged people across tennis to oppose racism and sexism in sport. In a social media statement on October 10, the office called messages targeting the American player appalling and said Black female athletes face targeted racial abuse. It called on players, coaches and sports bodies to support those facing attacks, and urged fans to push back against racism and sexism. Gauff said she received a large amount of racist comments after a disputed point in her China Open match against Sun Xinran. The incident occurred during Gauff’s October 5 win in Beijing. She stopped play to complain about a flickering advertising board as Sun prepared to hit a winner; after reviewing the play, the umpire ordered the point replayed. Gauff won the match. Gauff later responded publicly that disagreement about the point did not justify racist abuse. The supplied reports relay her account and the UN office’s response, but do not independently document or quantify the messages she received. Gauff lost to Elise Mertens in the next round two days after the China Open match.