Coco Gauff won the second singles major of her career Saturday, capturing her first French Open title while wearing a custom kit and special-edition sneakers courtesy of sponsor New Balance.
The 21-year-old Gauff rallied to topple current world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka with a final of 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4. To Gauff, it was not only a massive personal achievement, but an opportunity to inspire her supporters.
“Obviously there’s a lot going on in our country right now with things. I’m sure you guys know,” Gauff said in a press conference after the match. “Just to be able to be a representation of that and a representation of people that look like me in America who maybe don’t feel as supported during this time period. Just being that reflection of hope and light for those people…Some people may feel some type of way about being patriotic and things like that, but I’m definitely patriotic and proud to be American, and I’m proud to represent the Americans that look like me and people who kind of support the things that I support.”
Gauff’s New Balance Coco CG2 Gray Day sneakers.
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Gauff’s gear throughout the tournament was provided by New Balance, which the tennis star has been partnered with since 2018. For the event, the Boston-based sportswear company created a custom one-of-a-kind marbled court kit and a custom leather walk-on jacket as well as the Gray Days colorway of her second signature shoe, the New Balance Coco CG2. After the match, while posing with the Suzanne Lenglen Trophy, Gauff wore the Miu Miu x New Balance 530 SL in a black, white and gum-soled colorway that’s available now.
“For Coco to win in her favorite city, wearing her very own signature shoe, with the world watching, is something young athletes all over the world dream about,” said Chris Davis, New Balance’s global brand president and chief marketing officer “New Balance is so proud of our seven-year partnership with Coco and the Gauff family. She is 21 years old and just getting started.”
Next up, Gauff will prepare for the year’s third Grand Slam event as Wimbledon begins June 30 in London. Ahead of the tournament, New Balance has released a white-and-green Wimbledon iteration of Gauff’s Coco CG2, which is available now.
