18-Year-Old American Coco Gauff Reaches French Open Final, Urges An End To Gun Violence

After reaching her first major final at the French Open, 18-year-old American Coco Gauff used her platform to call for an end to gun violence.

After her 6-3, 6-1 destruction of Italian Martina Trevisan in the Roland Garros semifinals set up a championship match with world No. 1 Iga Świątek on Saturday, Gauff wrote “Peace. End gun violence” on a camera lens.

“For me it was important just to use the platform that I have, especially since I’m in Europe,” she told Jon Wertheim of Tennis Channel.

“It’s a problem that’s been going on for years in the U.S. and I wanted to bring that attention to it. I know how many people are watching that match, so maybe [it will bring] some global attention to what’s going on in the U.S. and I think that we definitely need some change and reform regarding that aspect and ever since I was young you guys know I use my platform to bring attention to topics and today was one of those days.”

Last week, 19 elementary school children and two teachers were killed during a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

While those children were still being buried, there were three simultaneous shootings Wednesday night in Tulsa, Los Angeles and Pittston Township, Pa.

There have been more than 200 mass shootings in the U.S. already in 2022.

GAUFF BECOMES YOUNGEST GRAND SLAM SINGLES FINALIST SINCE 2004

The victory makes Gauff, a native of Delray Beach, Fla.:

• The youngest player to reach a Grand Slam women’s singles final since Maria Sharapova at 2004 Wimbledon.
• The youngest player to reach the French Open women’s singles final since Kim Clijsters in 2001.
• The youngest American to reach a Grand Slam women’s singles final since Serena Williams at the 1999 US Open.
• The youngest American to reach the French Open women’s singles final since Andrea Jaeger in 1982.

Asked about getting to her first major singles final against Świątek — winner of 34 straight matches — Gauff, who just graduated high school, said: “I think I’m having a great graduation week, I don’t know if anyone else is in a Grand Slam final. I’m super happy.”

Said USTA Player and Coach Development GM Martin Blackman:

“Reaching the finals of Roland Garros is an indication of the commitment that Coco, her parents and her team have made to the process of getting better. The focus on long-term development reflected in her training block after last year’s US Open and during the pre-season break are paying dividends, and it speaks to her growth mindset and the visionary guidance of her parents.”

Gauff and her partner Jessica Pegula, who lost in the semifinals to Świątek, are also in the doubles semifinals against Americans Madison Keys and Taylor Townsend.