"Brilliant answer, relative to Aryna Sabalenka's vacuous one" - Fans impressed by Coco Gauff addressing 'LGBTQ issues' in Saudi Arabia amid WTA Finals

Coco Gauff has offered a thoughtful and nuanced perspective on concerns surrounding Saudi Arabia's human rights records as she gears up for her campaign at the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh. The American's intelligent response impressed tennis fans, particularly when compared to the statements provided by other players competing at the year-end championships.

During her pre-tournament press conference, Gauff spoke candidly about her "reservations" regarding competing in Riyadh. World No. 3 shed light on her efforts to speak to the WTA and Princess Reema, the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States, about implementing programs that could foster lasting and positive change in Saudi Arabia through their presence. Coco Gauff said,

"No, I would be lying to you if I said I had no reservations. Obviously you know who I am and the things I speak about. I was pretty much on every player call I could make with WTA. One of the things I said, if we come here, we can't just come here and play our tournament and leave. Like, we have to have a real program or real plan in place."

she added:

"We spoke with a lot of women here in Saudi. One of them was Princess Reema. Multiple calls with her, how the best approach would be to enter into this different place that women have never kind of, women from U.S., have never kind of been in."

The 20-year-old also called attention to the LGBTQ and women's rights issues in Saudi Arabia, expressing her desire to see change. Gauff acknowledged that meaningful change wouldn't occur overnight but emphasized that having these conversations could contribute to long-term progress.

"I think for me it was important and it was one of the questions I brought up because about LGBTQ issues, women's rights issues, how we can help with that. I'm also very aware that we're not going to come here and just change everything. That would be very nuance to say. But it's a nuance kind of conversation," Coco Gauff said.

Tennis fans were impressed by Coco Gauff's "brilliant" answer, praising the World No. 3 for her willingness to speak out on LGBTQ and women's rights issues, and compared the American's response to that of Aryna Sabalenka's and also stated the latter's response to a similar question as "vacuous."

"PR'ed or not, that's a brilliant answer, relative to someone like Sabalenka's vacuous one," one fan posted.

"Amongst a set of very disappointing responses, this is a brilliant answer from Coco Gauff. Very thoughtful and I seriously appreciate vocalising the women's and LGBTQ rights issues and doing what she can to help make some kind of positive impact more broadly with this. Massive respect," another fan chimed in.

"Coco being the youngest but the most socially aware and wise is crazy😭😭😭that’s mother frr," a fan wrote.

"Ohhh Coco, don’t end Sabz and Ryba like that 🙂‍↔️," said another.

Fans continued to shower praise on the 20-year-old for her "socially conscious" and thoughtful approach to these pressing issues.

"Nice to see Coco include LGBTQ in her answer, the first I’ve seen do so. As always, she’s a thoughtful and important voice 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽," one fan commented.

"Coco Gauff is so intelligent and mature at the ripe young age of 20. Love that she knows about issues and also doing what she can to help make change," another fan wrote.

"Coco is so thoughtful and wise. im such a fan because when it matters we can almost always see her give an upstanding answer that feels genuine and not just for PR," a fan remarked.

"I'm not surprised that the most socially conscious answer on this topic came from a Black woman," said yet another.

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"Me personally, I don't have any issues playing here" - Aryna Sabalenka takes different stance to Coco Gauff about competing in Saudi Arabia

Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff (Source: Getty)

While Coco Gauff addressed her reservations about competing in Saudi Arabia, Aryna Sabalenka disclosed that she had no objections to the WTA Finals being held in Riyadh.

The World No. 1 shared her belief in the importance of inspiring the younger generations by showcasing tennis worldwide, expressing her delight at being part of Saudi Arabia's "incredible" effort to promote women's sports.

"I've been here with exhibition match with Ons. I saw everything here is quite chill. Me personally, I don't have any issues playing here. I think it's really important to bring tennis all around the world and to inspire young generation," Sabalenka said.

"The effort they put into women's sport here is incredible. I'm really impressed. I'm really happy to be here and to be part of I would say some sort of history here," she added.

Gauff and Sabalenka have been drawn into different groups at the year-end championships. The American will compete in the Orange Group, facing off against Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, and Barbora Krejcikova. Leading the Purple Group, the World No. 1 will lock horns with Jasmine Paolini, Elena Rybakina, and Zheng Qinwen in Riyadh.

Aryna Sabalenka is set to kick off her campaign against Zheng on November 2, while Coco Gauff takes the court against Pegula the following day.