"That isn't fandom, and it isn't criticism. It's racism" - Rennae Stubbs sends defiant support towards Coco Gauff amid racist abuse

After a flourishing period on the court, it has taken a turn for the worse both on and off it for Coco Gauff, who has delayed her 2026 campaign for the time being after an early exit at the China Open while racist abuse away from it has led to many top tennis names standing by her side.

Former doubles No.1 Renna Stubbs is the latest name to have done this, supporting Gauff as she deals with the hardships that were ongoing in Beijing.

The 22-year-old went into the tournament as a former champion, having always made it to at least the semi-finals stage. This would not be repeated with a disappointing 6-3, 6-3 defeat against Elise Mertens in the last-16 proved that something was not right.

She was not playing anywhere near her best level on a consistent basis, saying to her team throughout that there was a lack of energy, and Mertens pounced. It is the first time the Belgian has nabbed a win over Gauff at the sixth time of asking.

There was also other stuff going on that took the spotlight. Gauff had been on the end of racist attacks following her third round triumph against Chinese player Sun Xinran. Cheating accusations were pointed directly at the American after she made use of the hindrance rule, halting the point when she seemed to be losing it to complaining about a flickering light on the side panels. The point was replayed, and Gauff went on to win.

This very small part of the contest led to a significant wave of abuse spiralling the way of Gauff, a lot of that racist.

Gauff will be forced to watch the rest of the China Open from the sidelines, but her result has paled in significance compared to what she has faced away from it. Stubbs shared a newsletter on Substack where she slammed the criticism over the American.

"The amount of heat thrown at Coco after this incident has been absolutely insane," she wrote. "It shows the worst of social media: the sycophants, and the 'tennis fans' who watch the sport once or twice a year. Today, in her match against Mertens, we saw what the last 48 hours have done to her."

She singled out specific groups. "To the bettors: if you put money on tennis, you’re taking a risk. That’s the deal you signed up for. Points get replayed, players get tight, matches swing on things nobody can predict. You never know what a player is feeling that day or what they’re going through off the court, yet when the result doesn’t go your way, you blame them for losing your money. Losing a bet is part of betting. Abusing a player because your slip didn’t come in is ridiculous.

"To the super fans: loving your player is what makes this sport fun. But when you watch through rose-coloured glasses and care only about your favourite, every call against them becomes a conspiracy and every opponent becomes a villain. To the sycophants who just pile on whatever the loudest voices are saying: you’re not adding anything except noise, and that noise lands on a real person."

Moving on from the bettors and sycophants, Stubbs turned her attention to the racists. "And to the racists, the worst of them all: you've shown exactly who you are. Coco has spent her entire career giving her best, treating the people around her with kindness, and carrying herself with class. Attacking her for the colour of her skin says nothing about her and everything about you. That isn't fandom, and it isn't criticism. It's racism, plain and simple, and it has no place in any sport."

She concluded with a personal message to Gauff. "I hope you can hear the words of the many of us saying this: your sportsmanship and class have always been something I, and so many others, admire about you.

"Take some time. Step away from the grind. Put the phone down and be around the people who love you. And remember that 99% of those voices don’t know you, don’t know the sport, and don’t understand what our sport is really about: hard work and fairness and you my friend epitomise that, as well as anyone. Keep your chin up and never change who you are, a tremendous young woman."

Gauff will indeed take some time away from the courts ahead of the WTA Finals. She has withdrawn from the Wuhan Open title defence, the final WTA 1000 tournament of 2026, with her not set to compete in the WTA 500 events in Ningbo or Tokyo. All focus is on Indian Wells, where she is already qualified and hopeful of putting on a show on home soil.