Martina Navratilova once showered praise on Coco Gauff for raising her voice about important social issues like Black Lives Matter. The 18-time Grand Slam champion also credited Gauff’s parents for raising her with excellent values and strength of character.
When the Black Lives Matter movement erupted after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, Gauff was only 16 years old. But she did not shy away from adding her voice to the protests, sharing a powerful video about police brutality and encouraging people to “fight against racism.”
The American also took part in a Black Lives Matter rally in her hometown of Delray Beach, Florida, and delivered a moving speech about how important it was for people to “use their voice” against racial injustice. She also said she was “fighting for the future of her brothers” and her “future kids.”
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Martina Navratilova, who is very vocal about politics herself, was very impressed by Coco Gauff's willingness to be politically active. Speaking to BBC Radio, the former World No. 1 expressed faith in Gauff's ability to make a positive difference in the world by using her platform for good.
"I smile so much when I see the reach she already has now, and she will have in the future. She is just so poised on and off the court, she was brought up with great qualities and it shows how she plays and it shows how she's active now politically. She's one of those people that can change the world for the better, and she seems to want to do that," Navratilova said.
Navratilova also said that with Gauff leading the fight for Black Lives Matter, the young American was contributing to the long history of tennis being involved in supporting social change.
"Sport has always been at the forefront of social change. And now it can be that again with Black Lives Matter and just equality for all. Tennis has had its share of obstacles, but I think overall, we've been at the forefront of social change and it seems like now with Coco Gauff, leading the charge, we're still there," she added.
Like Martina Navratilova, tennis legend Billie Jean King was very appreciative of Coco Gauff after she publicly shared a strong "end gun violence" message at the 2022 French Open.
Coco Gauff on her grandmother Yvonne Odom: "She's 'the' sole or one of the main reasons why I use my platform the way that I do"
In a press conference at the 2023 US Open, Coco Gauff opened up about her grandmother Yvonne Odom being a trailblazer, recounting how she had made history by becoming the first Black student to integrate at Seacrest High School.
Inspired by her grandmother's kindness even in the face of racism, Gauff credited Odom for teaching her to use her platform to speak about issues like Black Lives Matter and gun violence.
"Yeah, I think she's probably 'the' sole or one of the main reasons why I use my platform the way that I do and why I feel so comfortable speaking out," Gauff said.
Coco Gauff's grandmother Yvonne Odom has also always been very supportive of her career. The American was very touched by her grandmother's elated reaction to her winning the 2025 French Open.
