UN expresses solidarity with Coco Gauff after racist abuse

The UN expressed its solidarity with Coco Gauff after the American player was subjected to a wave of racist abuse online. The UN human rights office condemned the attacks, which followed an incident during Gauff’s match against China’s Sun Xinran at the China Open last week.

Ranked among the world’s top tennis players, Gauff had stopped play during a decisive point after objecting to a flashing advertising board as her opponent prepared to hit a cross-court shot. She later revealed on social media that she had received a stream of racist abuse after the match.

Replying on X to a post containing a racist insult, the player wrote: “You can dislike me or disagree with what happened without being racist.”

On Wednesday, Gauff had exited the China Open in the round of 16. She said the incident had left her psychologically exhausted. The player has won two Grand Slam titles.