By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday, June 28, 2022

American Coco Gauff may be only 18 years old, but she’s already known for strong statements – and statement wins.



The No.11 seed advanced in three sets on Tuesday at Wimbledon, defeating Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5, and afterwards was asked if she draws power and strength from being a player that speaks out on issues like social justice and women’s rights.

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“Yes and no,” she told reporters. “I mean, at the same time I play for myself, but also at the same time I know there's countless people watching me. I know I'm pretty active off the court regarding issues like (the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe V Wade last week).

“It definitely does fuel me and motivates me to do even better. Today, even that helped a little bit just because people were saying, ‘You need to like shut up and focus on tennis, blah, blah, blah.’ “Yeah, I like to win just to put that in their faces.”

She reiterated her thoughts on the issue again on Tuesday.

"I've stated my thoughts in other interviews, too," Gauff said. "I'm against it. I think me being a woman in America, being my age, I think I should have the right to do what I want with my body."

Gauff, who improved to 7-2 lifetime at Wimbledon, is the youngest player entered in the men’s and women’s singles draws at SW19.

She’ll face Romania’s Mihaela Buzarnescu in the second round.