Coco Gauff

Following her Australian Open quarter-final defeat, Gauff smashed her racket in an off-court area she believed was private. The footage was broadcast, prompting debate about players' behaviour and surveillance and the right to private space at tournaments.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Directly implicated

Gauff publicly criticised the immigration crackdown and controversial federal operations in the United States, saying that she disliked what was happening and that people should not die simply 'for existing'.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Gauff was among leading players undertaking a form of 'work-to-rule' by limiting their media obligations at Roland-Garros, during a dispute with Grand Slam tournaments over revenue sharing, welfare and player representation.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Shared responsibility

Gauff said she was following the situation in Gaza, was distressed by the deaths and believed leaders needed to act to achieve peace. Her remarks explicitly referred to occupation and civilian suffering.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

During her Olympic defeat to Donna Vekić, Gauff extensively disputed an umpire's decision following the overrule of a line call, saying she felt 'constantly cheated' in such situations. In tears, she requested the supervisor's intervention and argued for a video review system.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia drew criticism concerning women's and LGBTQ rights and sportswashing. Gauff acknowledged her reservations but believed the event could 'open doors' if lasting progress followed.

State of the evidence

Documented

The Gauff–Karolina Muchova US Open semi-final was interrupted for nearly 50 minutes by climate activists. Gauff said she did not hold it against them, believed in climate change and supported the right to peaceful protest, while hoping demonstrations would not endanger anyone.

State of the evidence

Documented

After qualifying for the Roland-Garros final, Gauff wrote 'Peace. End Gun Violence' on the television camera against the backdrop of the Uvalde and Buffalo shootings. She called for change and mobilisation over gun violence.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Following the Dobbs ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, Gauff called the decision disappointing and a setback for women's rights, then explained that she would use her anger as motivation at Wimbledon.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

At 16, Gauff spoke publicly at a demonstration in Delray Beach following George Floyd's death, and subsequently repeated on the tennis tour that remaining silent about racism and police violence would have been wrong for her. Her activism made her an early political voice in American tennis.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated