American Coco Gauff will not defend her title at the Wuhan Open, the final WTA 1000 tournament of the year. On Wednesday, she announced that she would withdraw from the event, following a fourth-round loss to Belgium’s Elise Mertens at the China Open.
Late in the second set of that 6-3, 6-3 defeat, Gauff told Athletica his camp, “I have no energy. I’m trying. … I can’t see the ball. I feel like I’m going to pass.”
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It was the first straight setback since February. This happened two days after the third-round trip on Sun Xinran, 16 years old from China. During the 7-5, 6-1 triumph, the point of controversy led to what Gauff described as a 22-year-old “crazy” barrage of racist comments and social media DMs.
On Wednesday, he told reporters after the China Open that he was discussing the removal of this week’s “drain.” While navigating fatigue, Gauff revealed that he will withdraw from the Wuhan Open, which he won in 2025.
“I am not disappointed to withdraw from Wuhan, especially as the defending champion,” Gauff said in a statement, according to The Athletic.
“I always love playing there. After a long year, my body needs some time to rest and recover. I’m looking forward to coming back next year.”
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The Lunar controversy and the rational abuse that followed
Near the end of the rally in Monday’s first competitive training session, Gauff held up his hand to interrupt the play. Moments before Sun made a cross-court shot that would have made it 30-15 and put her one point away.
Gauff asked for a review of the video, citing flashing LED lights that he believed confused the point. They came from the court selling tables.
Gauff, disk no. 4 and the two-time Grand Slam champion wins, actually staying by the rules of tennis that govern handicapping.
According to the WTA rules, via Athletica, “A shall be called if a player is hindered by an event beyond his control (for example, the ball rolling onto the court, the card blowing on the court, etc.) in the game or the movement of his service.”
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Unmindful, the scrutiny followed, as Gauff returned to certain parts and competition. She also apologized to The Sun for the trap and clarified her actions further down the line.
“I just turn off my phone and go,” Gauff reportedly said during Wednesday’s match. “There is, I say, nothing you can do.”