Coco Gauff urges end to gun violence and calls for gun reform as she advances to French Open final

By Ben Morse, CNN

Updated 0939 GMT (1739 HKT) June 3, 2022

Gauff writes her message on the camera after her victory against Martina Trevisan at the French Open.

(CNN)US tennis star Coco Gauff has said she wants to use her platform to call for the end of gun violence and urged for gun reform.

Following her semifinal victory at theFrench Open on Thursday to advance to her first grand slam singles final, the 18-year-old wrote on a nearby camera lens — as is tradition after a victory. But instead of just her signature, Gauff added «Peace End Gun Violence» with a picture of a heart.After her 6-3 6-1 straight sets victory against Italy's Martina Trevisan, the American explained that she hadn't planned to write that message beforehand, but she wanted to express the «important» message. «It's important, just as a person in the world, regardless of tennis player or not. I think, for me, it was just especially important just being in Europe and being where I know people globally around the world are for sure watching,» she said. «I think that this is a problem in other parts of the world, but especially in America, it's a problem that's, frankly, been happening over some years, but obviously now it's getting more attention. But for me, it's been an issue for years.Read MoreGauff writes her message on the camera after her victory against Trevisan.»For me, it's kind of close to home. I had some friends that were a part of the Parkland shooting. I remember watching that whole experience like pretty much firsthand, seeing and having friends go through that whole experience. Luckily, they were able to make it out of it. I just think it's crazy, I think I was maybe 14 or 13 when that happened, and still nothing has changed.«I think that