Coco Gauff not afraid to speak up about events back home in US: "Don't think people should be dying just for existing"
WTA
Coco Gauff only really spends a few months at home a year if that as a professional athlete but still keeps up to date with everything that is going on and how it affects her as a human being back home in the United States.
The 21-year-old says she likes to stay informed and that is has been tough seeing the events back home with immigration crackdowns and the killing of protesters but as someone with a grandmother who was a big activist, she has never kept her mouth shut in regards to being asked the vital questions.
Gauff sad that ultimately she is very patriotic but that events like this strike a different chord and one that is disheartening. She said that ultimately people no matter what shouldn't be dying merely for existing. She spoke to The Guardian referring to the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota by federal agents and she gets ready this week worlds away to play in Dubai.
“Everything going on in the US, obviously I’m not really for it. I don’t think people should be dying in the streets just for existing. I don’t like what’s going on,” Gauff said in Dubai on Sunday as per The Guardian.
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“I think for me, it is tough to sometimes wake up and see something because I do care a lot about our country. I think people think I don’t for some reason, but I do. I’m very proud to be American.
“But I think when you’re from any country, you don’t have to represent the entire values of what’s going on in the leadership. I think there’s a lot of people around there who believe in the things I believe in, and believe in diversity and equality. So, I’m hoping as the future progresses that we can get back to those values.”
Never shying away from questioning
But for someone who has a grandmother who helped desegregate public schools in Delray Beach in the 1960's, she was helped in regards to having the guile to speak up and do what is perceived as right.
In an age where athletes are often told to shut up, Gauff does the opposite and said she will always answer questions on it and that she has lived a life where it has been a prominent discussion point so won't ever do so.
Coco Gauff celebrates after winning on day 2 of the Australian Open defeating Kamilla Rakhimova
“I never felt torn when I’m asked a question because it is relevant. If you’re asking me, I’ll going to tell you how I feel,” she said on Sunday.
“I think a lot of people on social media, on the other hand, like to say to stay out of politics, stay out of the things that are going on.
“You’re going to be asked these things in press. People want to hear our opinion on it. Some players choose to say ‘no comment’, which is also completely in their right. I understand that. Some prefer to state their opinion.
“I think the biggest thing I hate is when people say, ‘stay out of it’, when we’re being asked it. If you ask me, I’m going to give you my honest answer.
“When I’m asked, I have no problems. Because I’ve lived this. My grandma literally is an activist. This is literally my life. So I’m OK answering tough questions.”
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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