Coco Gauff, the rising tennis star, is urging her fellow Florida residents to make their voices heard in the upcoming elections.
Speaking at a press conference during the Italian Open, the 20-year-old champion encouraged Floridians to participate actively in this year’s presidential election and local races.
Gauff, who will be voting for the first time, spoke about the importance of civic engagement, especially given the unique challenges of being Black in Florida.
“It’s a crazy time to be a Floridian, especially a Black one at that,” she remarked when asked about the state’s current political climate.
Florida has been in the national spotlight due to controversial policies implemented by its leaders, including Governor Ron DeSantis.
These policies range from book bans to stringent measures against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, which Gauff criticized as regressive.
“We aren’t happy with the current state of our government in Florida, especially everything with the books and just the way our office operates,” she said.
Gauff stressed the importance of the youth and community being vocal and active.
“At the end of the day, it comes down to the youth and the community being outspoken. So I encourage everyone to vote and use your voice regardless of who you vote for. There’s no point in complaining about the political climate of the world if you don’t exercise your right to vote,” she asserted.
Although Gauff refrained from endorsing any specific candidates, she made a strong case for voter participation.
“I feel like sometimes, in my generation, people think their vote doesn’t count. We should all just use our voices and use the power that we have,” she urged.
This isn’t the first time Gauff has spoken out on social issues. In 2020, she addressed a Black Lives Matter rally, demonstrating her commitment to activism beyond the tennis court.
As she prepares to compete in the French Open starting June 2, Gauff continues to inspire both on and off the court with her advocacy and athletic achievements.
