Coco Gauff says she hopes to see peace in the Middle East after becoming one of the most high-profile players to speak publically about the ongoing conflict.
The world No.3 is currently playing in the Dubai Tennis Championships which is taking place in the United Arab Emirates. In recent months the region has been affected by the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas which has claimed the lives of thousands of people. On October 7th Hamas, who is still technically the governing body of Gaza, launched a large-scale attack on Israel which killed more than 1000 people with others being kidnapped. In response, Israel has launched a military operation in Gaza which has killed more than 29,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Speaking about the conflict during an interview with The National newspaper, Gauff says she is ‘very aware‘ of the current situation and urges everybody to call for peace in the region.
“I feel like it would be ignorant to say I’m not aware, I’m very aware of everything that’s going on in Gaza,” she said. “For me, I always say I pray for peace in the region. And I really don’t like what’s going on. For me, it’s sometimes troubling to live the life I live, in knowing that so many kids and innocent people are dying on both ends, but especially in what’s going on in Gaza and the occupation that’s happening…
“In my position, I know there’s not much I can do other than raise awareness and donate. So that’s what I encourage everyone to do and just pray for peace and demand peace and demand that this stops happening.”
The 19-year-old is known for speaking out about social and political issues that is happening in her native America. In 2020 she spoke out against racism and police brutality at a rally in Florida. She has also previously weighed in on the debate over gun control and criticised Frorida’s anti-LGBT bill.
As for Gaza specifically, the reigning US Open champion believes people who are in a similar situation as her must educate themselves about what is going on.
“I feel like it’s very ignorant to say you’re not aware because it is everywhere, you see it on the news and I think it’s important for us as privileged civilians to do our research and just continuing to demand our leaders to make change and I will never not advocate for that,” she continued.
“And I do advocate for peace and I advocate for the thousands, I think it’s almost like I said millions at this point, of kids and innocent people being killed for a conflict that I feel like shouldn’t be happening.”
Gauff plays her opening match in Dubai on Tuesday against Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
