I'm not a cheater: Coco Gauff responds to racist abuse after China Open incident

American tennis player Coco Gauff faced a wave of racist abuse on social media after her match against China's Sun Xinran at the China Open. The controversy arose when Gauff paused play citing flickering advertising boards, which led to a controversial replay decision.

Gauff responded to the negative comments by asserting her integrity in the sport. She emphasised that she is not a cheater and highlighted the established protocol for video reviews in professional tennis, defending her actions during the match.

The incident sparked broader discussions about sportsmanship, fairness, and the darker side of online behaviour in professional sports.