Coco Gauff’s offseason has turned into a whirlwind of recognition, and this week has only amplified the momentum behind her growing cultural footprint. Fresh off being named to Forbes’ celebrated 30 Under 30 roster, the 21-year-old World No. 3 is preparing to add another major accolade to her résumé: Footwear News’ Style Influencer of the Year honor.
Gauff is scheduled to receive the award at the 39th annual FN Achievement Awards, which will take place in New York City on Wednesday, December 3. The ceremony traditionally highlights designers, brands, and cultural figures who have shaped the fashion landscape, and this year Gauff stands out as one of the youngest athletes ever recognized for her influence across both sport and style.
Her visibility in the fashion world has grown in tandem with her remarkable on-court performance throughout the season. Gauff secured her second Grand Slam singles title this year by triumphing at the French Open, and she followed that success with another tournament victory in Wuhan. Yet even as she delivered some of the strongest tennis of her career, Gauff simultaneously cultivated a reputation for bold, original style choices that kept the sports world—and the fashion world—talking nonstop.
Long associated with New Balance, Gauff has embraced her role as a creative partner with the brand, repeatedly surprising fans with playful but polished looks. Her New Balance x Miu Miu collaboration, worn during events in Rome, Berlin, and Cincinnati, became one of the season’s most widely discussed athlete-fashion crossovers. At Wimbledon, she sparked an online frenzy after stepping onto the grass wearing a white New Balance kilt and corset-style top adorned with embroidered strawberries, flowers, and butterflies. The combination balanced tradition with innovation, offering a subtle rebellion against Wimbledon’s notoriously strict dress code. She completed the ensemble with a special edition of her signature CG2 shoe, reinforcing her ability to merge personal flair with athletic authenticity.
According to Gauff, her involvement in the design process is extensive. She explained to Footwear News that she contributes ideas throughout the year, especially when major tournaments are approaching. “I give a lot of feedback, mainly on the Grand Slam outfits, because those are the ones I care about the most,” the two-time Grand Slam champion shared. She described the yearly design meeting as a creative free-for-all: a space filled with magazine snippets, Pinterest references, and dedicated mood boards for each Slam. Despite her love for fashion, she emphasized that performance remains her top priority. “Comfort is always number one. If it’s not comfortable, I won’t play in it… I love to dress up, but I love winning more,” she said. While she would like to push boundaries even further, she admitted that certain runway-inspired looks simply aren’t practical for competition.
Gauff also spoke about her personal fashion inspirations, citing Rihanna as her ultimate style icon because of the singer’s ability to shift seamlessly between masculine silhouettes and highly feminine designs. When asked which fellow WTA players she admires stylistically, she pointed to Naomi Osaka. Gauff praised Osaka’s willingness to embrace camp aesthetics and experiment fearlessly, noting that the two athletes often observe each other’s fashion choices with mutual appreciation. “Maybe someday I’ll try something campy,” Gauff added, hinting that her style evolution is far from
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