The weekends leading up to the US Open are extremely busy for players. Beyond the necessary media appearances at the Billy Janking National Tennis Center, they are also juggling many brand obligations, especially athletes under the biggest spotlight. At just 21 years old, Cocogoff, who won the Grand Slam tournament in 2023 and holds the title of the world’s highest-paid female athlete in any sport, has now earned a significant amount of grind.
“I’m just enjoying the experience,” the tennis pro tells Elle over the phone. She was posted to the agency suite at Arthur Ash Stadium, the center’s flagship venue, and is refreshing from the press conference and preparing for video shoot. “I think the adrenaline is holding you. I really don’t feel tired because of all the energy this place brings.”
Coco Gough will hold her US Open Trophy in 2023.
Gauff is currently ranked as the world’s third largest female tennis player. And appropriately, she is the third seeded at this year’s opening. Two years ago, she claimed the title in a dramatic way and gathered from the set to defeat the terrifying Aryna Sabalenka. She repeated the feat at Roland Garos earlier this year, defeating the Belarusians to claim the trophy again. The first-ranked race is closer than ever between Gouf, top-seeded Sabalenka and world’s second-largest Igawitok. But Goff says that this time, things feel different for her. “You know, last year I was in the defending champion,” she says. “Because of all the nerves that come with it, I don’t think I could have had that much fun, so there’s no pressure this year,” she laughed, then added, “Well, there is, but I’m going to really enjoy the moment.”
She has also built a reputation for style. In particular, she has built her reputation earlier this year through collaborations with her major sponsors, New Balance and Italian luxury brand Miu Miu. Gauff flaunted different iterations of partnerships in three separate tournaments. It was recently held in Cincinnati just days before the US opened. When the lights dim in Queens, she plans to hold an event with Miu Miu. She won’t see if any particular collaborations will continue, but New Balance and Miu Miu have an ongoing sneaker link-up.
New Balance X Coco Gauff Collection.
However, Gauff will debut an all-new New Balance look tonight when she strikes the courthouse. There is a tank, skirt and varsity jacket that can be worn when stepping into the arena. In the second half of the lining, New Balance embroidered with various designs and a quote from the famous Gouf that she delivered after winning the opening in 2023. I asked if she had drawn the jacket design herself. “I wish I could really disappoint it,” Goff said with a laugh again. “But I definitely can’t.”
A few days before the opening, Gouf made a headline with a surprising coaching shakeup. She parted ways with Matt Daly and brought in Gavin McMillan, a biomechanics expert known for her work with elite athletes. This move is one of the highest double fault counts on the tour, as players continue to wrestletter with two important parts of the game, HER SEVER. Macmillan is widely believed in helping Sabalenka turn her formerly unreliable serve into a weapon, and his availability lined up just before the opening. Gouf didn’t hesitate. She knew what she needed to do.
CocoGough and Andrea Gassi at the Stars, an open exhibition, ahead of the 2025 US Open.
“I’m excited,” she says of the decision. “He obviously had experience helping people with this problem, and I’m excited to be with someone who’s been through it. (Gavin) also works in other sports.
Still, she is realistic about timing. “Obviously it only takes a few days to start playing, so I don’t know if the results will be displayed anytime soon.”
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