Coco Gauff earns praise from tennis veteran MaliVai Washington for her remarkable character and leadership.
ATLANTA — At just 19 years old, Coco Gauff is not only a Grand Slam champion but is also emerging as the face of women’s tennis worldwide. This recognition extends beyond her on-court abilities to the impactful way she utilizes her platform off the court.
“A lot of athletes avoid touching those hot-button issues,” said MaliVai Washington, a former tennis professional.
However, someone who has already spoken up is Coco Gauff. In 2020, she attended a Black Lives Matter rally in Delray Beach, Florida, using her platform at the age of 16.
“My name is Coco, and the person who just spoke was my grandma. I think it’s sad that I’m here protesting the same thing she did 50-plus years ago,” said Gauff at the BLM rally.
“I’m sitting here thinking, I know people who are 10, 20, 30 years older than her, who will not get on a microphone and express their thoughts on a social issue,” said Washington.
Washington, the 1996 Wimbledon finalist, was surprised that at such a young age, Gauff had the courage to speak on a movement that had the nation divided.
“So, the fact that she was willing to do it, says a lot about her parents and her upbringing. But I think it showed a lot of character and class for her to discuss that social issue which is still present today,” said Washington.
Washington mentioned he is “100 percent comfortable telling our students or my kids, or the students at my foundation, to look at what Coco does, emulate Coco. Look at the way she carries herself. Just listen to her talk. Look at her presence when she’s in a press conference. That is really impressive.”
Gauff will aim to win her second Grand Slam title as she remains the only American female alive at the Australian Open.
