In the midst of her remarkable Asian Swing, Coco Gauff takes a moment to express her heartfelt thoughts for those in Florida facing Hurricane Milton. Being halfway across the world from home, she remains deeply concerned for her family and friends impacted by this catastrophic storm. Warning bells ring as Hurricane Milton approaches, just weeks after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc along Florida’s coastline as a Category 3 storm. With winds reaching 100 mph and storm surges expected to exceed 10 feet, the situation is dire.

Gauff has been dedicated to spreading crucial information to those in Florida. “I’ve been following the news.” After her third-round victory over Marta Kostyuk at the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open, she shared her concerns in a press conference after the match: “I live in South Florida, so it’s not hitting too hard there. There are some tornadoes going on. I’m thinking a lot about those in central and the west coast of Florida. I know it’s supposed to be hit hard, especially in the Tampa area.”

The American player who grew up in Delray Beach, Florida, knows a thing or two about the people and their characteristics. Coco Gauff started her tennis journey there at the age of seven years old. Reflecting on her roots, she said, “Hopefully those who were ordered to evacuate evacuated. I know Floridians are very stubborn people, so I know there are some that are staying. I just pray there are no lives lost. Obviously, I don’t want anybody’s home to be destroyed.”

As Gauff prepares for her upcoming match against Magda Linette, she worries about her loved ones who may be affected by the looming hurricane. Florida’s vulnerability to hurricanes is well known, given its location surrounded by the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Despite various precautions, there’s little that can be done to stop a storm of this magnitude.

Coco Gauff remarked, “I don’t know when the last time a big hurricane this bad hit Florida. Floridians are pretty hurricane-strong. My grandparents sat through a lot of hurricanes. We live in South Florida, so we will be okay. I know other parts of Florida are getting hit hard.”

She has been leveraging her online platforms to urge fellow Floridians to seek shelter and stay safe as the storm approaches. “I posted some shelters on my Twitter and Instagram for people to be able to go to, all types of shelters, pets, those with special needs, everything.”

Compassion and community support are absolutely crucial during tough times like these. Thankfully, Gauff isn’t alone in her efforts. As other tennis legends are stepping up to voice their concerns. It’s inspiring to see them sharing valuable resources for those affected by the storm.

The tennis world, along with Coco Gauff, comes together to help Floridians during rough times

In light of Hurricane Milton’s impending arrival, tennis stars are rallying on social media to support Floridians. On her Twitter, Gauff leaves a heartfelt message, “Please Stay Safe Florida,” accompanied by a praying emoji, which resonates with many who are facing uncertainty. While also taking to the aforementioned conference, she emphasizes the importance of life over property, stating, “At the end of the day, it’s property and can be replaced.”

Joining Gauff is former tennis legend Chris Evert, who resides in Fort Lauderdale. Evert amplified the urgency of the situation by sharing a clip from CNN that featured Tampa’s mayor urging residents to evacuate, stating that the storm “isn’t survivable.” In bold letters, she tweeted, “Please take this warning seriously!” Evert’s message underscores the seriousness of the threat posed by Hurricane Milton.

As Coco Gauff and Evert continue to raise awareness, they exemplify how public figures can leverage their platforms for good. Their efforts provide crucial support to those in need during this challenging time. By sharing vital information and urging safety, they demonstrate the powerful impact that athletes can have on their communities.