Coco Gauff withdrew from the Wuhan Open 2026 on Wednesday, giving up her shot at defending her title at the last WTA 1000 event of the season. The decision follows a physically and emotionally taxing week at the 2026 China Open, where the 22-year-old Grand Slam champion fell 6-3, 6-3 to Elise Mertens earlier in the day.
Gauff's On-Court Struggles at the China Open
While no specific injury has been confirmed, signs of exhaustion were clear during Gauff's loss in Beijing. Mid-match, she told her camp she couldn't see the ball and felt close to passing out.
"I have no energy. I'm trying, I have no energy," she said.
That physical toll came on top of an off-court ordeal. After a controversial hindrance call during her second-round win over Sun Xinran, Gauff faced a wave of racist messages online — an experience she called "draining" ahead of the Mertens match.
What Does the Wuhan Withdrawal Mean for Her WTA Rankings?
By missing the Wuhan Open, Gauff will drop 1,000 ranking points from last year's title. Still, the world No. 4 signaled she's prioritizing recovery over standings.
"After a long year, my body needs some time to rest and recover," she said.
