Gauff Withdraws From Wuhan Open After Mertens Loss
The defending champion pulled out hours after falling in the fourth round to Elise Mertens, citing a need to rest after a long year.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Tennis
Coco Gauff withdrew from the Wuhan Open hours after losing to Elise Mertens in the fourth round of the WTA 1000 event, where she was the defending champion. Gauff had earlier won her match against Sun Xinran 7-5, 6-1 after a replayed point following a video review.
Why it matters
Gauff said her body needed time to rest and recover after a long year, and she withdrew to give herself a break ahead of the WTA Finals. The decision leaves her with a shortened run into the season-ending event.
The WTA Finals run from November 8 to 15 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, with the draw reveal set for November 3. Gauff's 7-5, 6-1 win over Sun Xinran preceded her fourth-round loss, and the extraction does not indicate her plans beyond the Wuhan withdrawal.
The players
Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff is a 22-year-old American professional tennis player and the defending champion at the Wuhan Open.
Elise Mertens
Elise Mertens is a Belgian professional tennis player who defeated Gauff in the fourth round of the Wuhan Open.
The details
Gauff shared photos of a pirate costume on Instagram for Halloween, captioned 'Coming to an ocean near you,' and her mother Candi commented 'This one is fire. You get it from your momma.' Gauff also posted a second look cosplaying as the Winter Soldier, and she withdrew from Wuhan hours after the Mertens defeat.
Timeline
October 2026: Gauff posts Halloween costumes and withdraws from the Wuhan Open after losing to Mertens.
November 3, 2026: WTA Finals draw reveal.
November 8-15, 2026: WTA Finals at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Season Trajectory
Gauff's withdrawal from the Wuhan Open ahead of the WTA Finals reflects how players manage their schedules in the final weeks of the season. Her decision to rest suggests she is prioritizing recovery before the year-end event at Indian Wells.
Fantasy and standings followers should note that Gauff will not play in Wuhan after her loss to Mertens. The WTA Finals schedule of November 8 to 15 at Indian Wells is the next confirmed date on her calendar.
The takeaway
Gauff's decision to withdraw shows that rest can be a deliberate part of a season plan, especially before a major year-end event.
What happens next
The WTA Finals draw reveal is set for November 3, and the tournament runs November 8 to 15 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Further reading
For more on the sport's top events, see Tennis coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sportskeeda.
