Friday’s opinion held that there is no longer a federal constitutional right to abortion, with abortion rights to be determined by the states unless Congress acts.
“I feel bad for future women and women now, but I also feel bad for those who protested for this,” the 18-year-old told reporters.
“To see that decision overturned, I just think it’s history repeating itself and I feel like, at least from my reading and my research because I love history… that this decision is overturned, it’s like we’re almost going backwards.”
Although the majority opinion, written by Judge Samuel Alito, attempted to disassociate his position in Friday’s abortion case from these other decisions, Judge Clarence Thomas wrote separately to explicitly ask that these other decisions be reconsidered. .
Gauff added that she feared the ruling would be the first of other similar rulings on social issues.
“I feel like it also paves the way for maybe reversing other things that we – I wouldn’t say me personally – have worked so hard to reverse.”
The World no. The number 12 is set to face Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse, ranked 43 places below her, in the first round at the All England Tennis Club on Monday.
Asked on the move, the American said she understood “both sides”.
“For me it’s a tough decision just because I know a lot of Belarusian and Russian athletes and I know – at least the ones I’ve spoken to – [they] certainly can’t stand what’s happening in Ukraine right now,” Gauff said.
“But I also understand the side of trying to pressure the Russian government to pull out of Ukraine and how sport can impact that, so I think both sides of the situation are fair. delicate.”
The 18-year-old arrives at Wimbledon after a maiden Grand Slam singles final at Roland Garros in June.
“A lot of positives to take from it, that I can play two weeks of highly competitive tennis in two events. I never thought I would have made the final of both,” she said.
“I learned a lot from this final and I will put what I learned here [Wimbledon]. I hope I get far, but it was definitely the experience of a lifetime and I hope I can recreate it.”
Serena Williams decides not to comment yet
Meanwhile, seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams said she had no idea she was “ready to share right now” on Roe v. Wade.
The 40-year-old also decided not to comment on the decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing.
“Another heavy topic that involves a lot of politics and from what I understand in government and I’m going to walk away from it,” she told reporters.
Needing one more triumph to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles, Williams returns to Wimbledon after being forced to withdraw from last year’s first round with an injury to leg.
Ahead of her opener against world number 113 Harmony Tan, Williams reflected on the “surreal” feeling of returning to Wimbledon after a “difficult” year.
“I gave everything I could. Every day I prepare or try to achieve,” she said.
“I hung up my racquets for a bit until I could heal because it’s a tough injury to have what I had last year. It wasn’t fun.”
When asked how close she was to quitting the sport altogether, Williams said she never retired.
“I just needed to heal physically, mentally…I had no plan to be honest,” she added.
“I just didn’t know when I would come back. I didn’t know how I would come back. Obviously Wimbledon is a great place and it worked out pretty well.”
Wimbledon runs from June 27 to July 10.
