Sophie Cunningham’s emphatic stand against transgender athletes competing in girls’ or women’s sports gained the support of former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines on Thursday. The political activist didn’t just agree with the Indiana Fever star, though. Gaines also tweeted asking others to do the same.
After some on X suggested names, Gaines herself called on a prominent American athlete to embrace Cunningham’s position.
Riley Gaines Supports Sophie Cunningham’s Stance Against Trans Athletes, Urges Coco Gauff To Follow Suit
Early this week, Cunningham told ESPN’s Hallie Grossman that one of her unfaltering beliefs is protecting “young girls” who “shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
On Wednesday, Cunningham maintained that position despite receiving backlash from transgender athletes and their supporters. She said she doesn’t hate the trans community but insisted that it was “common sense” to protect girls and women from opponents who were born male.
Gaines tweeted her support of the former Phoenix Mercury player before making a public plea.
“I call on @CocoGauff. Coco, I look up to you, as I know many other female athletes do. Should women’s sports be exclusive to women?” Gaines wrote on X.
I call on @CocoGauff.
Coco, I look up to you as I know many other female athletes do. Should women’s sports be exclusive to women? https://t.co/lR35eooVOh
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) July 23, 2026
Coco Gauff is one of the most popular tennis players in the world. The two-time singles Grand Slam winner’s voice carries much weight in the discussion about whether transgender athletes should be allowed to compete against girls or women.
In 2022, she criticized the “Don’t Say Gay Bill” in Florida, her home state. Gauff said that she has friends in the LGBTQ+ community and found it tough for them if they were unable to express their identity.
Even though Gauff supports the LGBTQ+ community, her stance on transgender athletes in women’s sports is unknown. Gaines is hopeful the 2025 French Open winner will follow Cunningham’s lead.
Gaines is the latest well-known figure to share Cunningham’s viewpoint.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said on Thursday that he supports the LGBTQ+ movement and its civil rights and liberties but expressed his strong opposition to transgender athletes competing against girls or women.
To prove his and Cunningham’s point, Smith used a scenario where an NBA player could transition to the WNBA. The sports talk show host underlined the unfairness of the situation, which prompted him to urge transgender athletes and their supporters to create a league or competition solely for them.
Gaines’ support of Cunningham wasn’t out of the blue, which made her plea to Gauff unsurprising. Early this month, Gaines appreciated “the U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision to uphold state laws that protect women’s sports,” according to OutKick’s Jackson Thompson.
