Delray Beach’s Coco Gauff is concerned about the volatile situation in the Middle East and the war in Iran as she prepares for the Indian Wells tournament.
Speaking to the media on March 3 at a news conference in advance of the event in Southern California, Gauff also said she might have to compete without her coach, who remains in Dubai.
“First off, what’s happening is unfortunate, and my thoughts and prayers are out there for everyone affected and for the innocent lives being taken,” Gauff, ranked No. 4 in the world, told reporters. “I think it’s a lot of unnecessary violence going on.”
Like many others, the tennis world has been affected by the war, including Gauff’s coach, Gavin MacMillan, who has been stranded in Dubai following a tournament there. There are numerous ties between the WTA and the Middle East, including the season-ending WTA Finals being held in Riyadh in 2025 and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) sponsoring the WTA rankings.
Gauff said she has felt safe competing in the region. She left the area before war broke out last week when the United States and Israel launched air strikes on Iran and Iran retaliated against numerous nations in that region.
“I think it’s just a lot of unfortunate circumstances that are happening right now,” she said. “I am thankful that I was able to get out of that before things turned to where it is now.
“As for the Middle East, I have never personally felt unsafe there, playing tournaments or anything like that. I have never felt unsafe. I think what’s happening now, I guess people, maybe political experts could see it coming, but I think as far as a tennis player, no one would expect things to happen.”
Gauff has been outspoken about numerous political and social issues through the years, including the current U.S. immigration policies. Her grandmother, Yvonne Lee, was the first Black student to attend Delray Beach’s all-white Seacrest High School in 1961.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Coco Gauff concerned about war in the Middle East, her coach stranded
Reporting by Nick Pugliese, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
