Tennis star Coco Gauff has condemned the current political situation in the United States, speaking candidly at a press conference ahead of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Sunday.
“Everything going on in the U.S., 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,” the 21-year-old told reporters.
The two-time Grand Slam champion was referring to the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, who were killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis last month during protests against Operation Metro Surge.
Gauff learned of the killings whilst competing in Australia for the season’s opening Grand Slam.
Coco Gauff lambasted the situation in the United States currently
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The world number five emphasised her patriotism despite her criticism of the current administration.
“It is tough to 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,” Gauff said.
She stressed that representing one’s nation does not require endorsing every decision made by its government.
“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 that believe in the things I believe in, believe in diversity and equality,” she added.
The Florida native expressed optimism that America would eventually return to those principles.
Tensions have been high in America after recent Ice operations in Minnesota
| GETTYGauff’s willingness to address contentious political matters stems from her family heritage.
Her maternal grandmother, Yvonne Lee Odom, played a significant role in the American civil rights movement, becoming the first Black student to attend public school in Delray Beach, Florida, during the 1960s desegregation efforts.
“My grandma is literally an activist,” Gauff explained. “This is literally my life. I’m OK answering tough questions.”
The tennis champion has previously spoken out on various social issues, including the Black Lives Matter movement and the conflict in Gaza, having delivered a speech on such matters when she was just 16 years old.
Gauff joins a growing number of American athletes who have voiced concerns about the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
Donald Trump has come under fire from several American athletes
| REUTERSAt the Australian Open, her compatriot Madison Keys delivered a message championing immigrants and the diversity they bring to the United States, expressing hope that the country “can come together”.
Several American competitors at the Winter Olympics in Italy have also spoken out.
Freestyle skier Hunter Hess stated that wearing the American flag does not mean representing everything happening in the country, prompting President Trump to call him a “real loser”.
Snowboarder Chloe Kim, who won silver in Milan-Cortina, argued that athletes should be permitted to express their views, advocating for leadership through “love and compassion”.