Coco Gauff joins Aryna Sabalenka in the boycott of the Grand Slams.

Coco Gauff is preparing to align with Aryna Sabalenka in a historic revolt in the world of tennis! The young American star, ranked number 4 in the world, has publicly expressed her full willingness to join the Belarusian player in the threat of a boycott of the Grand Slams, in an unprecedented fight for players’ rights. This movement is gaining momentum in the wake of the controversy surrounding the distribution of prize money, which has left competitive tennis players outraged, especially after the mere 9.5% increase in prize money for Roland Garros, which still lags behind the other Majors.

Aryna Sabalenka, the world number 1, raised the alarm at a press conference before the start of the Italian Open, where she explained that the absence of players would be the only way to ensure fairness. “Without us, there would be no tournament or show. At some point, we will boycott, because that is how we fight for our rights,” she asserted confidently. This appeal gained even more weight following a joint letter signed by the top ten players on the circuit, including figures like Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Sabalenka, and Gauff herself.

Coco Gauff confirmed that she not only understands but fully supports this strategy, as long as there is a collective consensus among athletes. The 21-year-old tennis player also highlighted the inspiring example of the WNBA, whose players’ association recently secured a historic agreement after 17 months of intense negotiations. “It’s not just about me, but about the future of our sport and the current players who do not receive the same benefits, even among the best, whether in sponsorships or other earnings outside the court,” Gauff stated. “What the WNBA has achieved shows the power of a strong union, and we need that too.”

Amid this tension, Coco Gauff is preparing to defend her position in the world top 4 at the Italian Open, a tournament where she was a finalist last year, losing to Italian Jasmine Paolini. With 6,749 WTA points accumulated, the American has a comfortable margin over rivals Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova, but defending the 650 points from the Rome tournament is crucial to maintaining her position ahead of the next Grand Slam. Gauff has already secured a bye in the first round and will face the winner of the match between Tereza Valentová and Yulia Putintseva.

This fight for justice in tennis promises to shake up the coming weeks, with the voices of the stars growing louder and challenging the traditional Grand Slam system. Is this the beginning of a revolution in the sport of racquets? The tennis world is watching, and Coco Gauff is at the forefront of this historic battle.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.