Coco Gauff Reveals Inspiration Behind Her 2025 Australian Open Outfit
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Coco Gauff showed her trademark humor and personality while revealing what inspired her Australian Open outfit during an interview after winning in the opening round.
Gauff faced the 2020 champion, Sofia Kenin, on Monday. The 20-year-old lost to Kenin during her run to the title five years ago and again at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships, making it a tough matchup.
However, Gauff showed her improvements since those defeats throughout the contest at the Rod Laver Arena. Despite not being at her best, she still cruised to a 6-3, 6-3 victory and never looked in any significant danger of losing to Kenin again.
Gauff's form in recent months has made some convinced she can win the Australian Open. Since October, the world No. 3 has won the WTA Finals and China Open and helped Team USA to secure a second United Cup title.
Serena Williams' former coach, Rennae Stubbs, was among those who predicted that Gauff would win the season's opening Grand Slam. However, Stubbs also admitted it was hard to choose between her and the two-time defending champion Sabalenka.
Regardless of how far Gauff goes at the Australian Open, she knows her outfit for the tournament received a very positive reception from fans. The young star's social media followers have posted numerous comments praising the look.
Gauff partnered with her longtime apparel sponsor, New Balance, on the outfit. It combines white and green but is unique because it is a bodysuit. While not unheard of, it is rare for WTA players to compete in bodysuits during matches.
In an interview with Laura Robson after the match, Gauff revealed that she was inspired by the cut-outs used by female superheroes in the Marvel universe. But the American also generated laughter while explaining that the outfit is not easy to get out of.
"I’m a huge Marvel fan, and a lot of the female superheroes have cool cut-outs on their outfits. That’s what I wanted to do. New Balance has great designers; it’s actually kind of a pain to get into because it is a bodysuit, guys!"
"I have to put the bottom part on first and pull it over my head. It’s kind of a struggle, and if you can’t hold your bladder, it’s also not a good idea…A couple times I’ve had to ask the referee to help unzip me to use the bathroom! You have to sacrifice for fashion!"
Gauff added another humorous comment about her shoes. She said they were inspired by basketball, the sport her father hoped she would take up. However, the 2023 US Open champion is relieved she decided to play tennis.
"My shoes are inspired by basketball shoes because that’s the sport my dad wanted me to play. I'm glad I chose tennis."
The interview left the fans inside the stadium in stitches and was shared widely on social media. It is one of many examples of Gauff generating attention to tennis with her natural charisma and personality.
That factor is one of the reasons she was ranked as the most marketable tennis player in the world last year, finishing ahead of huge names in the sport like Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
