Coco Gauff says people should not be ‘dying in the streets just for existing’ in U.S.

Coco Gauff has said that she hates athletes being told to stay out of politics, after saying of recent events in the U.S. that she does not think “people should be dying in the streets just for existing.”

During a news conference at the Dubai Tennis Championships in the United Arab Emirates, Gauff was asked about the experience of being a traveling athlete and waking up to news from her country.

“For me, I’m someone that likes to stay informed. Once I see something happen, I like to do the research on it,” Gauff said in response.

“Yeah, 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,” she said.

In January, federal agents fatally shot Alex Pretti, a resident of Minneapolis, a few miles from where the Minnesota Timberwolves play. The shooting came less than a month after Renee Good was also killed by federal agents in another section of the city.

“I think for me, 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.

“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 that believe in the things I believe in, believe in diversity and equality.”

Later, Gauff, who is a two-time Grand Slam champion at 21, was asked if she had ever felt she “wanted to say something and (you) couldn’t.”

“I never feel torn when I’m asked a question. Obviously when you’re in a tournament, you may not, like, come out and do a statement or things like that. But I never felt torn when I’m asked a question because it is relevant. If you’re asking me, I’m going to tell you how I feel,” she said.

At the Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina, U.S. athletes have called attention to the social and political climate in the country.

Freestyle skier Hunter Hess responded to a question about what it means to represent the United States by saying it “brings up mixed emotions” and was “a little hard.” In response, President Donald Trump called Hess a “real loser” and suggested he should not have tried out for the team. Vice President J.D. Vance said of athletes: “You’re there to play a sport, and you’re there to represent your country and hopefully win a medal. You’re not there to pop off about politics.”

Further athletes, including snowboarder Chloe Kim and figure skater Amber Glenn, have also commented on the intersection between sports and politics.

“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,” Gauff said in Dubai.

“I think the biggest thing I hate is when people say stay out of it when we’re being asked it,” Gauff, whose grandmother Yvonne helped to desegregate public schools in Delray Beach, Fla., 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.”

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