American Coco Gauff won’t defend her title at the Wuhan Open, the final WTA 1000 tournament of the year. She announced Wednesday that she’s withdrawing from the event, following a fourth-round loss to Belgian Elise Mertens in the China Open.
Late in the second set of that 6-3, 6-3 defeat, Gauff, according to The Athletic, told her camp, “I have no energy. I’m trying. … I can’t see the ball. I feel like I’m going to pass out.”
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The straight-sets setback was her first since February. It took place two days after a third-round win over Sun Xinran, a 16-year-old from China. Amid that 7-5, 6-1 triumph, a controversial point led to what the 22-year-old Gauff described as an “insane” amount of racist comments and DMs on social media.
She told reporters Wednesday after being eliminated from the China Open that dealing with that this week was “draining.” While navigating exhaustion, Gauff revealed that she’s pulling out from the Wuhan Open, which she won in 2025.
“I’m disappointed to withdraw from Wuhan, especially as the defending champion,” Gauff said in a statement, per The Athletic.
“I always love playing there. After a long year, my body needs some time to rest and recover. I look forward to returning next year.”
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Monday’s controversy and the racial abuse that followed
Toward the end of a rally in a competitive first set on Monday, Gauff held up her hand to interrupt play. She did so moments before Sun delivered a cross-court shot that would have put her up 30-15 and made her one point away from set point.
Gauff inquired for a video review, citing flickering LED lights that she believed disrupted the point. They were coming from the advertising boards lining the court.
Gauff, the world No. 4 and a two-time Grand Slam singles champion, was actually abiding by tennis’ rules that govern hindrance.
Per the WTA rulebook, via The Athletic, “A let should be called if a player is hindered by an event outside of her control (e.g., ball rolling onto the court, paper blowing onto the court, etc.) during play or her service motion.”
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Regardless , scrutiny followed, as Gauff came back to win the set and the match. She even apologized to Sun at the net and further clarified her actions online.
“I just turn off my phone and move on,” Gauff reportedly said after Wednesday’s match. “I mean, there’s nothing you can do.”
Source: sports.yahoo.com
