Coco Gauff’s victory at the Grand Slam tournament in Paris means a lot to her. Especially given the turbulent times in her American homeland.
US tennis player Coco Gauff dedicated her triumph at the French Open to all those in the US who are suffering under President Donald Trump’s policies. It means a lot to her to be a representative “for people who look like me and who don’t feel particularly supported at this stage,” said the black world number two after her final victory in Paris against the world number one, Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus. Giving these people “a little bit of hope and light” is a good feeling, she said.
After Trump’s victory in the presidential election last November, she felt a little down. Her mother then told her during the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia: “Just win the tournament, just to give people something to smile about,” the 21-year-old said. “I thought about that today when I held the trophy and heard the American national anthem.”
Some people might see it critically, but “I am definitely patriotic and proud to be an American,” said Gauff, who has often spoken out on political and social issues in the past. “I am proud to represent Americans who look like me and those who support the things I support.”
