Coco Gauff recently shared insights into her involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement following the tragic death of George Floyd in May 2020 while in Minneapolis police custody.
TIME Magazine recognized Gauff’s contributions by including her in its ‘Women of the Year’ list, alongside notable figures such as Greta Gerwig, Taraji P. Henson, Leena Nair, and Claudia Goldin.
Gauff has rapidly ascended in the world of tennis since turning professional at just 14 years old in 2018. Within a span of six years, she has become a Grand Slam champion and reached the rank of World No. 3.
Expressing pride in her accomplishments as a Black woman in a sport that lacks diversity, Gauff remarked, “Being a Black woman, in a sport that isn’t as diverse as others are, it means a lot to me,” (via Time).
Beyond her achievements on the tennis court, the 19-year-old has actively contributed to the Black community. In June 2020, she delivered a heartfelt speech as part of her participation in the Black Lives Matter movement, deeply moved by George Floyd’s tragic passing.
Reflecting on her decision to speak out, Gauff revealed, “It was to the point where I was crying about it, because I felt like I had to say something.”
