“Being called all these slurs,” Coco Gauff reveals heartbreaking reality behind her intense advocacy championing the rights for people of color

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula pair for Indian Wells Masters double.

“Being called all these slurs,” Coco Gauff reveals heartbreaking reality behind her intense advocacy championing the rights for people of color

Coco Gauff (via IMAGO)

Coco Gauff opens up about the reason behind her well-delivered off-the-cuff speech at the Black Lives Matter Protest in 2020. The American recanted that her grandmother’s achievement for Blacks in her community gave her the courage to speak at the event.

The American teenager became the youngest player to win the US Open since Serena Williams in 1999. She defeated Aryna Sabalenka to win her first Grand Slam title in New York last year. The tennis star has been growing in confidence since she turned pro in May 2018, just 14 years old. Despite criticism, she has always fought her way to victories and already has seven WTA singles titles and a major title to her name.

Speaking to Vogue, Gauff cited her grandmother as the reason for feeling comfortable during her speech at a Black Lives Matter Protest in 2020.

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Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff (Source: IMAGO)
She was the first Black person to go to that school. She experienced being called all these slurs. She had to have police escort her into the school. All these things. I feel like me saying a speech or partnering with an organization or donating takes no effort compared to what she did. She would say, ‘I don’t care how famous you get. You still have to do your chores'
Gauff explained during her interview with Vogue

Coco Gauff heads to the Indian Wells Masters with the hope of claiming the title. The American has not been consistent since winning the Auckland title and reaching the final of the Australian Open. She is hoping to turn things around in California.

Coco Gauff pairs with Jessica Pegula at Indian Wells

Coco Gauff will team up with fellow American Jessica Pegula for the first time in 2024 at Indian Wells. Despite the hectic schedule for the duo, they are still willing to compete in the doubles tournament.

Coco Gauff (L) and Jessica Pegula (R) (source: Imago)

Jessica Pegula who recently turned 30 might be hoping for a title in the doubles. However, the duo is listed as the fifth seed ahead of the BNP Paribas Open. Fans are hoping that both players partner at the Olympics, as that may likely be the last time international tournament for Pegula.

Both will play Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Sofia Kenin in the first round at Indian Wells. Meanwhile, she will play either Wang or Clara Burel in her second-round match in the singles tournament. She is likely to meet Naomi Osaka in the round of 16 if the Japanese win her two opening matches.

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