Coco Gauff Says Racist Abuse on Social Media Was 'Draining' After Loss to Mertens at China Open

Coco Gauff said she experienced racist abuse on social media during her appearance at the China Open.

Speaking to reporters after a fourth-round loss to Elise Mertens on Wednesday, Gauff explained it was "draining" on her emotionally after receiving racist comments earlier in the tournament.

"It has been kind of draining, I'm not going to lie," Gauff said. "I just turn off my phone and move on. There's nothing you can do."

During her previous match against Sun Xinran, there was a glitch with the advertising videoboards lining the court at one point as a rally was going on. Gauff stopped playing as a result, leading to the chair umpire ordering the point to be replayed.

Responding to a post on X, Gauff calling out the "mount of racist comments/dms I've received in the last few hours" after defeating Xinran in straight sets.

Gauff entered the China Open as the No. 4 seed and had a 5-0 record in her career against Mertens entering Wednesday's match. Mertens got her first win in their head-to-head rivalry 6-3, 6-3.

This was Gauff's first time losing in a tournament before the quarterfinals since the French Open when she was defeated in the third round by Anastasia Potapova.