Coco Gauff finds it difficult to hear news from the US amid President Trump’s crackdown on immigration

Coco Gauff says it’s “hard to wake up” and see what’s happening back home in the US, and that she will continue to speak out on issues that matter to her.

The two-time Grand Slam singles champion is among a group of American athletes who have expressed their dissatisfaction with US President Donald Trump’s campaign against immigration.

Protests have erupted across the United States since the killing of Rene Judd and Alex Peretti in Minneapolis last month by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Gauff, 21, spends most of the year competing outside the country, and the world’s fifth-ranked player learned of his death while he was in Australia to participate in the first major tournament this year.

“I don’t think people should die in the streets just for existing,” Gauff told reporters in Dubai, where she is scheduled to compete this week.

“It’s hard to wake up and see something because I care so much about our country. I think people think I don’t care about it for some reason, but I do. I’m very proud to be an American.”

“You don’t have to represent the full values ​​of what’s going on in leadership. I think there are a lot of people around you who believe in the things that I believe in, who believe in diversity and equality.”

When asked about the issues in the United States during the Australian Open, Gauff called for “more peace and kindness” in America.

Her compatriot Madison Keys defended immigrants and the diversity they brought to the United States, saying she hoped the country could “unite.”

Team GB skater Gus Kenworthy, who grew up in America, said he received death threats after posting an anti-ICE message on social media.

Speaking at the Winter Olympics, freestyle skier Hunter Hess added that “just because I wear the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that happens in the United States,” and President Trump responded by calling him “the real loser.”

Bea Kim said the United States is “so divided” but “diversity is what makes us such a strong country,” while fellow figure skater Maddie Mastro said she was “saddened by what’s happening at home. I feel like we can’t turn a blind eye to that.”

Milan Cortina silver medalist Chloe Kim feels that athletes should be “allowed to express our opinions about what’s going on. I think we need to lead with love and compassion.”

Goff says she feels confident in giving honest answers when asked about politics, in part because of her maternal grandmother.

Yvonne Lee Odom helped desegregate public schools in the 1960s, becoming the first black student to attend a public school in Delray Beach, Florida.

“My grandmother is an activist in the literal sense of the word,” Goff added. “This is literally my life. I’m OK with answering the tough questions.”