Coco Gauff's Historic Victory and Advocacy in Saudi Arabia
Coco Gauff's Achievement in Saudi Arabia
Additionally, Gauff earned a record-breaking paycheck of £3.7 million, the biggest in the history of women's tennis, for her victory in the tournament. Her performance throughout the event was notable, especially her comeback win in the final, which demonstrated her ability to perform under pressure.
Coco Gauff's Reservations About Playing in Saudi Arabia
Coco Gauff initially had reservations about playing in Saudi Arabia, primarily due to the country's conservative values and its record on human rights. She was particularly concerned about LGBTQ+ rights and women's rights in the country. Gauff expressed her awareness of the situation and the importance of seeing progress firsthand. She stated, "I would be lying to you if I said I had no reservations. I was pretty much on every player call I could make with the WTA. One of the things I said, if we come here, we can't just come here and play our tournament and leave. We have to have a real program or real plan in place".
Gauff engaged in conversations with key figures, including Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States, to discuss these issues and understand the efforts being made towards change. She emphasized the role of sports in opening doors to people and igniting change, hoping to see tangible progress during her visit.
Coco Gauff's Career Impact in Saudi Arabia
Gauff's thoughtful and balanced approach to these issues has been praised, as she used her platform to advocate for change and highlight the potential of sports to bring about social progress. Her actions and statements during the tournament have sparked important conversations about human rights and the role of athletes in advocating for social justice. 
