The complicated issue of sportswashing has infiltrated almost all of professional sports. Leagues and players are often torn between money, politics, diplomacy and ethical gray areas.

Perhaps no country has used sport more to enhance its reputation on the world stage than Saudi Arabia. The country has just hosted the Coup of the Six Kingsa non-ATP exhibition that showcased the top men’s players with a $6.5 million prize pool plus a $1.5 million appearance fee.

Many tennis players have addressed the problem and speak with a kind of resignation that Saudi Arabia will eventually get a Masters 1000 tournament. Starting tomorrow the WTA finals begin in Riyadh and the players are asked tough questions about the country’s human rights issues.

WTA World No. 3 Coco Gauff is receiving praise from fans for her thoughtful and balanced response on the issue. A journalist asked the 20-year-old “about the political issues surrounding coming to Saudi Arabia, its record on gender equality, LGBTQ+ issues.”

Gauff said: “Obviously, I’m very aware of the situation here in Saudi Arabia. I mean, my take on it is that I think sport can have a way of opening doors for people. I think to want change, you have to “I think sports, for me, I would say, is the easiest way to present that.”

Gauff continued: “I know they started bringing more men’s sports here. I know with golf and tennis, I think it’s one of the first, this is the first professional women’s tennis event to be held here. Hopefully the WTA will come.” here and pledged “Over the next three years, to help the future Star Program here in Saudi Arabia, we have introduced more Saudi women, especially into sports.”

Gauff added: “I think their goal is to have a million people playing tennis here by 2030. Hopefully, with that, people will be able to see us, what we stand for, and hopefully that will lead to more equality. Right now, if you never come here, It can never end like this. To want to have a change, you have to see it.”

However, the exchange was far from over. The journalist asked: “Mindful of your fans, I’m wondering if you personally had any reservations or concerns about coming here given the human rights record, particularly women’s rights, but also the LGBT+ community.”

Gauff responded bluntly: “No, I’d be lying to you if I said I didn’t have reservations. Obviously, you know who I am and the things I talk about. I was on pretty much every player call I could make with the WTA. “Of the things I I said, if we come here, we can’t just come here and play our tournament and leave, we have to have a real program or a real plan.”

Gauff explained that she wanted to do her homework: “We talked to a lot of women here in Saudi Arabia. One of them was Princess Reema. Several calls with her told us that the best approach would be to go into this different place that women have never been. “. “America’s women have never been there. I think that was important to me, and it was one of the questions I raised about LGBTQ issues, women’s rights issues, how we can help with that.”

Gauff concluded her comments on the topic: “I’m also very aware that we’re not going to come here and just change everything. To say that would be a big nuance. But it’s a nuanced kind of conversation. I think knowing from my grandmother’s past , integrate your school, people aren’t going to like it, but obviously, in the long run, I think it might be better for everyone.”

Gauff has a record of 48-15 with two singles titles this year. She is part of the Orange Group at the WTA Finals and will face World No. 6 Jessica Pegula at 8:45 a.m. EST on Sunday, November 3. Tennis fans can follow the Sports Illustrated program. Serve in YES to know the most important sports news.