Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys defend Coco Gauff after China Open controversy, ‘It’s crazy’

Coco Gauff found herself embroiled in controversy at the China Open after requesting a video review during her third-round win over Xinran Sun.

The American called for a review, claiming the flashing LED banners at the side of the court distracted her. Sun had initially won the point, but lost when the umpire told the players to replay it. The 16-year-old then lost all momentum and fell to a 5-7, 1-6 defeat.

Many fans online criticised Gauff for the incident. Some even abused her on social media, prompting her to issue a lengthy response. Gauff then withdrew from the Wuhan Open after losing her next match in Beijing.

Gauff’s fellow Americans, Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys, have now spoken out in defence of the two-time Grand Slam champion. Both players couldn’t understand the criticism.

Jessica Pegula calls the criticism of Coco Gauff ‘crazy’ and Madison Keys agrees

“I don’t really understand why we are angry because, realistically, if she saw the banner flicker, she was probably waiting for the chair umpire to call. The chair does not call, so she went along with the rules that we have and said, ‘Wait, hindrance, something weird happened’. The fact that it has turned into this whole debacle is crazy,” said Keys during the latest episode of ‘The Player’s Box Podcast‘.

“It’s crazy because at the net they tell you, you are allowed to challenge a hindrance or any type of replay after the point has ended. That rule has changed because of the latter happening and people saying it’s not fair because it’s really hard to stop in the middle of the point when you are not sure, because you have no idea what is happening,” added Pegula.

“You have a ball coming at your face, you are trying to hit a shot, and then you are like, ‘Did I just see the lights come on? I have to hit a forehand, or I’m going to lose the point!”

“It’s not until the ball has left your racket and it’s coming back that your brain is like, ‘That was wrong.’ So often, when you had to challenge calls, it would already have been too late. Even if it didn’t happen fast, whatever. It’s part of the rules. She followed the rules! Why is this becoming an international incident?” said Keys.

Keys and Pegula weren’t the only players, past and present, to defend Gauff. Former world number one Andy Roddick insisted Gauff didn’t cheat and said the abuse she received was ‘disgusting’.

Tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova also backed Gauff, as the sporting world jumped to her defence. The incident was unfortunate, but clearly didn’t warrant any abuse, never mind the vile treatment Gauff received on social media.

Gauff won’t play another match in Asia this year and will instead return to action for the WTA Finals in Indian Wells. Gauff won the WTA Finals two years ago when they were held in Saudi Arabia.

How did Coco Gauff perform at the 2025 WTA Finals?

Gauff won the 2024 WTA Finals, but failed to defend her title 12 months later. Returning to Riyadh, Gauff was placed in the ‘Stefanie Graf’ group, alongside Aryna Sabalenka, Pegula, and Jasmine Paolini.

The American lost her opening match against Pegula in three sets, 3-6, 7-6, 2-6. She then bounced back to defeat Italy’s Paolini in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. Unfortunately for Gauff, she failed to secure her place in the semis, losing to Sabalenka in her final group-stage game, 6-7, 2-6.

Coco Gauff’s 2025 WTA Finals results

• [LOSS] vs Jessica Pegula, 3-6, 7-6, 2-6
• [WIN] vs Jasmine Paolini, 6-3, 6-2
• [LOSS] vs Aryna Sabalenka, 6-7, 2-6

2025 WTA Finals – Stefanie Graf group

Whether she can return to the latter stages of the WTA Finals this year remains to be seen. The 2026 WTA Finals begin on Saturday, November 7. The final will be played on Saturday, November 14.