We’re at a studio just off I-95 in Boynton Beach, Florida. Coco Gauff—the world’s fourth-ranked women’s tennis player, 2023 U.S. Open champion, and the highest-paid female athlete in 2023 and 2024—has stepped outside for a quick photoshoot, away from the busy activity inside. A longtime local—she grew up in nearby Delray Beach—Gauff looks comfortable in the familiar humidity, even in a tracksuit. But this tracksuit is special: printed on the chest and thigh are New Balance’s iconic “NB” logo and Miu Miu’s elegant script. It’s a sneak peek at a new capsule collection of performance wear, outerwear, and accessories from the two brands, which Gauff will debut on and off the court at the Italian Open in Rome starting May 7. She’ll continue wearing these co-branded pieces in Berlin and Cincinnati later this year, and by September 10—right in the middle of the U.S. Open—the Miu Miu x New Balance collection with Coco Gauff will finally launch to the public. Here in Florida in late March, Gauff is shooting content for the upcoming campaign, and we got an exclusive first look.

Gauff, who helped design the collaboration, is clearly happy with the results. The tracksuit’s styling takes cues from Miu Miu’s Spring 2025 collection, with its loose collars and rolled sleeves, while her custom Coco CG2 New Balance shoes feature her handwritten signature for a personal touch.

“It’s three tournament looks in total,” Gauff says. “I showed them the silhouettes I like, and we built from there. We wanted to do something in tennis that’s either never been done or rarely seen. The only time I can think of high fashion on the court was when Off-White worked with Serena [Williams]. Federer had the Jordan shoe, but not a full outfit. Jannik Sinner wears Gucci when he walks on court, but it’s not an official collaboration.”

In an era where sports and fashion are deeply connected, this partnership isn’t just a milestone—Rome will mark the first time an Italian luxury brand is officially worn during a WTA match—but also a new step in Gauff’s growing off-court interests. She’s gained popularity on TikTok, partly for her “GRWM” (Get Ready With Me) videos that highlight her style. (Gauff describes her aesthetic as “playing with femininity and masculinity.”) Still, she’s never attended a fashion show. “Not one! It’s something I want to do. When I was younger, it didn’t feel like the right fit, but now I’m ready to explore more.”

This shift might be tied to a recent milestone: Gauff turned 21 on March 13, just a week before we met. Fans might be surprised—she carries herself with a maturity beyond her years, though she admits to feeling both grown-up (understandable, given her fame and success) and like a “pretty regular” Gen Z-er.

“Growing up in this life, I sometimes feel older than I am,” she says. “But outside of tennis, in a lot of ways, I’m just like any other young person. If someone asks me to do something fun, like a TikTok, I love that. It reminds me of my age. I’ll always say yes to that.” (In March, her go-to TikTok trend was dancing to Doechii’s “Anxiety,” but trends move fast—she’s probably onto something new by now.)

We move from a loading dock to a patch of grass, where the afternoon sun filters through the palm trees. Gauff mentions she kept her 21st birthday low-key: dinner with cousins, followed by a barbecue her dad, Corey, made the next day. Family—and faith—are central to her life. So is humor.

“My—” [The text cuts off here.]”My brothers Codey and Cameron are my biggest supporters—they always cheer me on and keep me humble,” says Gauff. “Whether I do well or badly, they still tease me. When you’re competing, it can feel like everything is on the line, like life or death, but of course, it’s not. Having them around helps ease that pressure.”

She reflects further while talking about her faith: “Sometimes it feels like your whole identity is tied to your performance. But the more I focus on my faith, the more I realize I’m more than just my sport. It makes me grateful—even if I never win another tennis match, I still have so much to look forward to outside of it.” Gauff grew up in the church and maintains her faith by listening to worship music daily and reading the Bible when she can.

Lately, there’s been talk about Gauff’s results—as a Grand Slam champion and one of the most recognizable names in tennis, people expect constant wins. This year, she reached the Australian Open quarterfinals, made the round of 16 at Indian Wells and Miami, and reached the quarterfinals in Stuttgart. She also went undefeated at the United Cup and won the WTA Finals in Riyadh by defeating Olympic gold medalist Qinwen Zheng. Still, Gauff admits she’s adjusting parts of her game, which may explain some recent losses—and here, her maturity beyond her years shines through.

Photo: New Balance

“When you’re making changes, results don’t always come right away,” she says. “I’m working on improving my serve and returns. Timing is tricky, but you have to accept it won’t be perfect immediately—eventually, it’ll all come together.”

Our short break outside ends—the team needs Gauff back inside now that the studio is ready. Before heading in, she shares one last thought that captures her mindset:

“This feels really natural,” she says. “I think it was meant to be.”

Styling by Lotta Volkova