Tennis star Coco Gauff has reportedly lost over 100,000 followers on social media overnight after a controversial tweet from Elon Musk accused her of lacking dignity during a recent match. The Tesla and X (formerly Twitter) CEO publicly criticized Gauff’s conduct, triggering a wave of backlash, polarized commentary, and intensified debate around race, sportsmanship, and online influence.

The Incident

The controversy stems from Gauff’s behavior during her recent quarterfinal match at the Madrid Open, where she defeated her opponent in straight sets. During the match, Gauff celebrated exuberantly, pumping her fists and shouting after winning key points. Critics claim that her behavior bordered on taunting, while supporters argue it was a normal display of passion in high-stakes competition.

After the match, Gauff was seen offering a seemingly cold handshake to her opponent, who later suggested in a press conference that Gauff had “gone too far” in her post-point celebrations.

It was this moment that appears to have caught the attention of Elon Musk, who commented in a now-viral post on X:

“A BLACK person with no dignity by humiliating her opponent, and then letting them get the better of her. Block and boycott.”

The post was met with immediate criticism for its racially charged tone and was flagged by X’s community notes for violating the platform’s content guidelines. Despite this, the post amassed millions of views within hours and sparked a significant drop in Gauff’s follower count across platforms, including X and Instagram.

A Divided Response

The backlash has revealed deep divisions in the public’s view of athlete behavior and how race plays into public perception. While some users supported Musk’s stance, claiming Gauff’s actions were unsportsmanlike, others rallied to her defense, accusing Musk of hypocrisy and racism.

Prominent athletes and celebrities have spoken out in support of Gauff. Serena Williams posted a message on Instagram saying, “Young Black excellence will always be a threat to some. Keep shining, Coco.” Naomi Osaka tweeted, “So we’re policing celebrations now? This feels personal and targeted.”

Gauff has yet to make an official statement but posted a photo of herself training the following day with the caption, “Back to work. Eyes forward.”

Broader Implications

This incident is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding Elon Musk’s involvement in social and political discourse. Since acquiring X, Musk has frequently used the platform to share personal views that often stir debate. Critics argue that his comments risk exacerbating social tensions, especially when directed at young public figures.

Digital analysts have noted the speed at which Musk’s comments can influence public behavior online. “A single tweet from Musk can create a ripple effect across platforms,” said Julie Romero, a social media trends expert. “In Gauff’s case, it caused an immediate and measurable drop in followers, sponsorship mentions, and engagement rates.”

Sponsorship experts warn that such public scrutiny could affect Gauff’s brand appeal, though many believe her loyal fanbase and elite performance will continue to carry her career forward.

A Resilient Future

Despite the social media fallout, Gauff remains one of the brightest young stars in tennis. At just 21 years old, she has already claimed a Grand Slam title and remains ranked in the top 5 globally. Her youth, talent, and outspoken nature have made her both a role model and, at times, a lightning rod for criticism.

As debate over the incident continues, one thing is certain: Coco Gauff’s presence both on and off the court will remain closely watched — by fans, critics, and now, billionaires.