Coco Gauff’s Madrid Open ended sooner than expected. However, you can’t deny the 22-year-old’s grit, as she struggled through a severe stomach virus, vomited mid-match, and still managed to win over Sorana Cîrstea on April 26. Then of course, the physical toll caught up to her, and she eventually lost to Linda Noskova. But even then in a normal world, after a player shows so much will, messages of “get well soon” and praise would flood their socials. But when Gauff opened her phone, she was caught in yet another internet attack.

Her inbox was flooded with abuse. Not criticism of her sport, but racist messages and vitriol from anonymous sports bettors who lost money on her match. But, if the trolls expected silence from the other end, they just might have picked the wrong player.

Taking to her TikTok, Gauff openly mocked the trolls who had flooded her inbox with negativity. The overlay text in her video made her stance clear. “The angry gamblers are saying racist things in my IG comments/dms, hiding behind anonymous accounts.” The Grand Slam champion also added a cultural reference to underline her message.

She used lyrics from a Young M.A track. The lines read, “Yeah, they hate, but they broke though (but they broke though) / And when it’s time to pop, they a no-show (where they at?) ”.

This just goes on to show the ugly side of a rapidly growing industry. According to the American Gaming Association (AGA), the sector generated a record $16.96 billion in revenue in 2025. And with that boom has come a surge in toxic fan behavior directed at athletes. The timing of the backlash too reflects a broader shift in sports culture now.

As betting continues to surge, so do the losses. Reports suggest that Americans who legally placed wagers in 2025 lost hundreds of billions of dollars. This marked an increase of roughly 11% compared to the previous year. And that frustration has been redirected to the athletes.

For Gauff, though, dealing with hate is no new thing. After her China Open victory in Beijing, where she defeated Karolina Muchova 6-1, 6-3 to claim her eighth career title, Gauff was flooded with criticisms, and she addressed it even then.

Celebrating on Instagram, she posted a photo with her trophy and wrote, “sHe OnLy wInS 250s… well…. WOMP WOMP.” The message was playful but clearly targeted. It was a response to ongoing criticism.

However, not everyone appreciated her tone. One user reshared the post on X and commented, “Coco has the mentality of a 5-year-old; I’m sorry.” The remark quickly gained traction online.

The American did not ignore it. She responded directly with clarity and confidence. “Honestly, kids have the best outlook on life. They are so positive and creative. So I’ll take it. My goal this tournament was to play and enjoy tennis as much as I did when I was a kid because that’s when life was/is the most fun!”

So, “Personally, I block”—that’s pretty much ’s go-to move when people get out of line online. She’s even joked that she can spend a solid 30 minutes just blocking trolls and anyone leaving negative comments. In fact, she once said, “Sometimes I read comments specifically to encourage myself.”

Well, Gauff has used her platform to challenge toxic behavior time and again. She speaks out, whether through humor or direct replies. Earlier this month, she even had to fight off fashion critics!

Coco Gauff hits back at trolls targeting her appearance

Earlier this month, Gauff appeared in a commercial for Miu Miu. The campaign showcased her natural look, with a bag styled alongside her. It was meant to highlight authenticity and individuality. However, the photoshoot quickly drew negative attention online. Some users posted hateful comments aimed at her appearance. Much of the criticism focused specifically on her hair.

Gauff chose to address it directly on TikTok, making her stance clear. “I personally don’t like to slick back my hair super sleek, because it does damage my hair,” Gauff said. “I do play tennis, so most of the time I’m wearing it in a bun. I have (curl type) 4C hair… That’s just not good for my hair,” she said explaining about her hair.”

She then reinforced her position with a firm statement. “I’m not going to apologize for the way that my hair looked,” she stated. “There are other girls who have the exact same hair as me, and I just want them to see and feel represented…”

Gauff also admitted that the criticism affected her emotionally. She did not dismiss the impact of those comments. Instead, she acknowledged it openly.

“I’m not going to lie, for two days I was feeling rough. I’m someone who has struggled with looks throughout my life, just being a young Black girl in this world,” she said after she received trolls who mocked her hair in her recent photoshoot.

Yet her response did not end in vulnerability. It turned into resilience and confidence. “Y’all did knock a diva down… but diva got up, and I feel better than ever.”

Now, as she once again uses social media to respond to both on-court and off-court moments, her stance remains consistent. Gauff continues to assert herself as one of the strongest voices on the tour, unafraid to confront negativity head-on.