Coco Gauff Speaks Out On U.S. Turmoil Amid ICE Attacks: 'People Shouldn't Be Dying In Streets’

Last Updated:February 18, 2026, 10:36 IST

Coco Gauff condemned the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, and urged American athletes to speak out on U.S. issues at the Dubai Open.

Coco Gauff made it clear in Dubai: loving your country and criticising it aren’t mutually exclusive.

Speaking at a press conference at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Sunday, the 21-year-old two-time Grand Slam champion said she is “proud to be an American", while forcefully condemning the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis last month.

“Everything going on in the U.S., obviously, I’m not really for it. I don’t think people should be dying in the streets just for existing. I don’t like what’s going on," Gauff said.

She is among a growing number of American athletes to criticise U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency reported to be involved in the deaths.

The issue has spilt into sport, with athletes grappling publicly with how or whether to respond.

Athletes finding their voice

Winter Olympian Hunter Hess said earlier this month, “Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S."

The remark drew a sharp rebuke from President Donald Trump, who labelled Hess a “real Loser" on Truth Social.

Madison Keys also weighed in. “I am hopeful that we as a country can come together and get back to the values that I think make our country great," she said. “We are very diverse. We are a home of immigrants."

Top-ranked American man Taylor Fritz opted out. “Whatever I say here is going to get put in a headline… I’d really rather not."

Gauff acknowledged that choice. “I think players have the right" not to comment, she said. But she won’t duck the questions.

“If you ask me, I’m going to give you my honest answer… I lived this. My grandma is literally an activist. This is literally my life. I’m OK answering tough questions."

On court, she’s composed. Off it, she’s unapologetically candid.

(with Reuters inputs)

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