Coco Gauff says it is “tough to wake up” and see what is happening back home in the United States and she will continue to speak out about issues that matter to her.<\/p>\n
The two-time Grand Slam singles champion is among a host of American athletes who have voiced their displeasure with US President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.<\/p>\n
Protests have taken place across the United States since Renee Good<\/a> and Alex Pretti<\/a> were killed in Minneapolis last month by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.<\/p>\n Gauff, 21, spends most of the year competing overseas and the world number five learned of their deaths while in Australia for the first Grand Slam of the year.<\/p>\n “I don’t think people should be dying in the streets just for existing,” Gauff told reporters in Dubai, where she is set to compete this week.<\/p>\n “It is tough to wake up and see something because I do care a lot about our country. I think people think I don’t for some reason, but I do. I’m very proud to be American.<\/p>\n “You don’t have to represent the entire values of what’s going on in the leadership. I think there’s a lot of people around that believe in the things I believe in, believe in diversity and equality.”<\/p>\n When asked about issues in the US during the Australian Open, Gauff called for “more peace and kindness” in America.<\/p>\n Compatriot Madison Keys championed immigrants and the diversity they have brought to the US, saying she hopes the country “can come together”.<\/p>\n