Coco Gauff Balances Sport and Advocacy in Saudi Arabia

Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, is participating in the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia, despite having reservations due to the country's human rights record. She emphasized the need for the event to positively impact Saudi society, particularly concerning women's rights and LGBTQ+ issues. Gauff engaged in discussions with Saudi leaders, including Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, to address these concerns and insisted on having a long-term plan for societal change rather than merely playing the tournament. Her father shared concerns about her participation due to Saudi Arabia's discrimination against women. Gauff compared the situation to historical integration challenges in the U.S., expressing hope that sports can open doors and foster equality. Despite the controversy, she is set to compete against Jessica Pegula and others at the WTA Finals.