Coco Gauff on U.S. Turmoil: I Don’t Assume Folks Ought to Be Dying within the Streets

By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, February 16, 2026Photo credit score: Jennifer Pottheiser/USTA

Coco Gauff served as United States flag bearer on the Paris Olympic Video games.

Whereas touring the world enjoying the professional circuit, Gauff tries to observe present occasions in the USA.

Requested to evaluate the “bizarre information” popping out of the U.S. throughout her Dubai press convention, Gauff mentioned whereas she’s “very proud” to be American, she’s disturbed by the violence occurring on U.S. streets in a reference to current ICE shootings in America.

“Yeah, all the things happening within the U.S., clearly I’m probably not for it. I don’t suppose folks needs to be dying within the streets only for current,” Gauff advised the media in Dubai. “I don’t like what’s happening.

“I believe for me, it’s robust to get up and see one thing as a result of I do care loads about our nation. I believe folks suppose I don’t for some purpose, however I do. I’m very proud to be American. However I believe if you’re from any nation, you don’t need to symbolize the whole values of what’s happening within the management. I believe there’s lots of people round that consider within the issues I consider in, consider in variety and equality.”

The 2-time Grand Slam champion mentioned whereas she understands why many gamers are reluctant to remark when requested political and social query, she’s dedicated to talking her fact.

The best-paid feminine athlete on the planet in 2025, Gauff mentioned her grandmother, who was an activist, impressed her to precise her view when she’s requested robust questions no matter criticism and mock she would possibly obtain.

“I by no means really feel torn once I’m requested a query. Clearly if you’re in a match, chances are you’ll not, like, come out and do a press release or issues like that,” Gauff mentioned. “However I by no means felt torn once I’m requested a query as a result of it’s related. In the event you’re asking me, I’ll going to let you know how I really feel.

“I believe lots of people on social media, then again, prefer to say to remain out of politics, keep out of the issues which are happening.

“You’re going to be requested these items in press. Folks need to hear our opinion on it. Some gamers select to say no remark, which can also be fully of their proper. I perceive that. Some desire to state their opinion.

“I believe the largest factor I hate is when folks say keep out of it after we’re being requested it. In the event you ask me, I’m going to provide you my trustworthy reply. For me, that’s my trustworthy reply. I all the time attempt to all the time reply truthfully. I’ve no issues. I lived this. My grandma is actually an activist. That is actually my life. I’m okay answering robust questions.”

Right here’s the entire query and Gauff’s reply from her Dubai presser:

Q. Clearly you’re touring the entire yr. Lots of the occasions your time zone is totally completely different to residence. You most likely get up loads to bizarre information popping out of the USA. Identical with us whether or not there’s going to be a struggle or not. This previous yr specifically, if you get up and see the President needs to get Greenland, individuals are getting killed, all of these items, what has this era been like? Do you get up and have a look at the information? Do you attempt to shut it out? How troublesome has that been?COCO GAUFF: Yeah, I believe for me as a Gen Z particular person, I get a variety of my information from social media. I don’t actually watch the information. Truly right here, as a result of it’s one of many solely English channels, I’ve been enjoying CNN whereas getting therapy.I believe whereas in Australia with all of the stuff was happening within the U.S., I didn’t see it until days afterwards. I do know some folks had been saying some issues had been being censored. I don’t understand how true it’s nor not. For me, I’m somebody that likes to remain knowledgeable. As soon as I see one thing occur, I love to do the analysis on it.Yeah, all the things happening within the U.S., clearly I’m probably not for it. I don’t suppose folks needs to be dying within the streets only for current. I don’t like what’s happening.I believe for me, it’s robust to get up and see one thing as a result of I do care loads about our nation. I believe folks suppose I don’t for some purpose, however I do. I’m very proud to be American.However I believe if you’re from any nation, you don’t need to symbolize the whole values of what’s happening within the management. I believe there’s lots of people round that consider within the issues I consider in, consider in variety and equality.Hoping as the longer term progresses that we will get again to these values, much like what Madison mentioned on the Australian Open.