'I'm aware of the situation..' Coco Gauff Opens up on helping Saudi Arabia improve women and LGBTQ rights via sports

The WTA season finale featuring the top eight singles players and double's teams between 2022 and 2024 begins on November 2nd in Saudi Arabia. 

According to Tennis star Coco Gauff, having the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia may help to open doors of change for the country, which had been facing accusations of suppressing women and LGBTQ rights.

The WTA's recent decision did spark controversy, with tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova expressing their differing perspectives on the matter.

Coco Gauff's take on Saudi's stance on women and LGBTQ 

When asked about the political climate in Saudi Arabia, particularly regarding gender equality and LGBTQ rights, the American tennis star expressed her awareness of the country’s current situation. She highlighted her belief that sports can serve as a catalyst for positive change and foster dialogue within communities. 

The world number three mentioned her desire to personally witness any progress that may have occurred. She noted that if she were to feel uncomfortable or perceive a lack of advancement during her visit, she would reconsider returning in the future.

Coco: “Obviously I'm very aware of the situation here in Saudi. I mean, my view on it is I do think that sport can have a way to open doors to people. I think in order to kind of want change, you have to see it. I think sports for me, I would say is the easiest way to kind of introduce that. I know they started bringing more male sports here. I know with the golf and the tennis, I think it's one of the first, this is the first professional women's tennis event held here. Hopefully with WTA coming here and they pledged for the next three years to help the future Stars Program here in Saudi, have introduced more Saudi women, especially into the sport. I think their goal is to have a million people playing tennis here by 2030. Hopefully, with that, people can see us, what we represent, and hopefully, that will enact more equality. Right now if you never come here, it can never end up like that. In order to want to have change, you have to see it.”

Coco added:  “No, I would be lying to you if I said I had no reservations. Obviously, you know who I am and the things I speak about. I was pretty much on every player call I could make with WTA. One of the things I said, if we come here, we can't just come here and play our tournament and leave. Like, we have to have a real program or real plan in place. We spoke with a lot of women here in Saudi. One of them was Princess Reema. Multiple calls with her, how the best approach would be to enter into this different place that women have never kind of, women from U.S., have never kind of been in. I think for me it was important and it was one of the questions I brought up because about LGBTQ issues, women's rights issues, how we can help with that."