Before competing in the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia, American tennis star Coco Gauff says she has held talks with some of the country’s leaders about their controversial human rights record.
Gauff says she met with Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud – who serves as Saudi ambassador to the United States – to discuss the treatment of women in the country.
‘We have spoken to many women here in Saudi Arabia. One of them was Princess Reema. Multiple conversations with her about what the best approach would be to go into this other place where women have never been before, women from the US,” Gauff told reporters on Friday.
“I think it was important to me, and it was one of the questions I brought up, about LGBTQ issues, women’s rights issues, how we can help with that.”
American tennis star Coco Gauff says she spoke to a Saudi princess ahead of the WTA Finals
Gauff also told reporters that her father was concerned about his daughter’s visit to the country because of discrimination against women.
‘Obviously I’m a woman. I was very worried. My dad was very concerned about me coming here,” Gauff said.
The 20-year-old tennis star admitted to reporters that she had “reservations” about playing at the event because it was taking place in Saudi Arabia.
“I’d be lying to you if I said I didn’t have reservations,” Gauff said.
‘You obviously know who I am and what I’m talking about. I was at pretty much every player call I could make with WTA.
“One of the things I said, when we come here, we can’t just come here and play our tournament and then leave. For example, we need to have a real program or a real plan,’
Gauff compared the situation in Saudi Arabia to what her grandmother went through when the United States integrated public schools in Florida more than 60 years ago.
“I don’t think people will like knowing my grandmother’s past and integrating her school, but obviously in the long run I think it could be better for everyone,” Gauff said.
Gauff expressed her concerns about the country’s human rights controversies
She hopes that sports can have a positive impact on women and LGBTQ+ people in the country
Gauff says she hopes to leave an impact on the country, despite its human rights record.
‘I am of course very aware of the situation here in Saudi Arabia. I mean, my take on it is that I think sports can have a way of opening doors for people. I think to want change you have to see it. I think sports is the easiest way for me to introduce that,” she said.
“Hopefully with the WTA coming here and they committed for the next three years to help the future Stars Program here in Saudi Arabia, we have introduced more Saudi women, especially in the sport.
‘I think their goal is to have a million people playing tennis here by 2030. Hopefully that will allow people to see us, what we represent, and hopefully that will bring more equality.”