UN condemns Coco Gauff abuse and warns: ‘Black female athletes are being targeted’

The United Nations’ human rights office has condemned the racist abuse of Coco Gauff and called for solidarity to help push back against racism and sexism.

The office, led by high commissioner Volker Türk, issued a social media post on Saturday saying the racist messages sent online targeting the American tennis player were “appalling and illustrate that Black female athletes are specifically targeted for vitriol and racial abuse”.

Gauff, twice a grand slam champion and ranked No 4 in the world, said she received an “insane” amount of racist comments on social media after a controversial point in her China Open match against Sun Xinran on Monday. Gauff lost to Elise Mertens two days later, saying she had “no energy” and felt as though she would pass out.

“There is no place in sport for racial or sexist slurs and abuse,” the United Nations’ human rights office said. “Players, coaches and sports bodies need to stand up for those facing such attacks and fans need to push back against those who sully sport with racism and sexism.”