Tennis Star Coco Gauff Criticizes Current U.S. Situation at Dubai Tournament

Professional tennis player Coco Gauff expressed her concerns about recent events in America during a press conference at the Dubai Tennis Championships. The 21-year-old Grand Slam winner joins other American athletes speaking out against ICE operations that resulted in deaths in Minneapolis.

Tennis champion Coco Gauff expressed her concerns about recent developments in the United States during a media session Sunday at the Dubai Tennis Championships, stating she remains “proud to be an American” while condemning the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti that occurred in Minneapolis recently.

“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,” Gauff said.

The 21-year-old, who has won two Grand Slam titles, joins a number of other American athletes who have publicly criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement following the agency’s involvement in the deaths of Good and Pretti.

Winter Olympic athlete Hunter Hess previously made headlines on February 6 when he told the media, “Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.” His comments prompted President Donald Trump to label Hess a “real Loser” on Truth Social.

Tennis player Madison Keys, currently ranked 17th globally and fourth among U.S. women’s players, has also shared her thoughts on the situation.

“I am hopeful that we as a country can come together and get back to the values that I think make our country great,” Keys said. “We are very diverse. We are a home of immigrants. and I hope that we can get back to those values.”

However, Taylor Fritz, the highest-ranked American male tennis player, chose not to discuss the matter publicly.

“I feel like whatever I say here is going to get put in a headline, and it’s going to get taken out of context,” he said. “So, I’d really rather not do something that’s going to cause a big distraction for me in the middle of the tournament.”

Gauff, whose grandmother made history as the first Black student to integrate public schools in Delray Beach, Florida, in 1961, believes athletes have the “right” to remain silent on political matters, though she plans to continue addressing such topics when asked.

“I think the biggest thing I hate is when people say stay out of it when we’re being asked it,” she said. “If you ask me, I’m going to give you my honest answer. For me, that’s my honest answer. I always try to always answer honestly. I have no problems. I lived this. My grandma is literally an activist. This is literally my life. I’m OK answering tough questions.”