Barilla Queen Coco Gauff shares her favorite pasta shape ahead of US Open

FLASHBACK: Gauff spoke to the press after winning the biggest title of her career in Cincinnati.

NEW YORK—From linguine to farfalle, your favorite pasta can say a lot about a person.

“Really I guess it depends,” muses champion Coco Gauff in her 2023 US Open Media Day interview.  “Before matches I just go with penne pasta because I don't like the long pasta before matches because I'm not the cleanest eater, it gets on my kit!

“I guess other than that, just spaghetti. I like cacio e pepe with the spaghetti-shaped pasta. Yeah, those are my favorites.”

A longtime partner of Barilla pasta, the Western & Southern Open champion enjoys the classic shape in its rigate (lined) or lisce (unlined) variety, though she admits never looking too closely.

“I honestly never really paid attention,” she said with a laugh. “That's the first time I've heard there was a difference. I guess now I'm going to pay attention to see if they have lines or not.”

Powered by pasta, Gauff has achieved big things this summer, capturing her first WTA 1000 title and scoring a first win over world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in eight tries.

Now the American is looking to give back, collaborating with Barilla for a “Serving Love” campaign that offers fans the chance to win a year’s worth of groceries.

Entrants can also win meal kids inspired by Barilla’s Chickpea and Red Lentil pasta and grocery delivery gift cards to help purchase ingredients for your next family dinner.

"As an athlete, pasta is a staple in my diet as it provides the balanced nutrition and functional fuel I need on and off the court," Gauff said. "Whether you're an athlete or a pasta lover, I think you'll find Barilla's alternative pasta as a tasty and enjoyable addition to your cooking lineup."

Drawn into the same quarter as Swiatek, Gauff will have plenty of chances to burn those carbs as she begins her fifth US Open main-draw campaign against a qualifier, with talented teenager Mirra Andreeva looming in the second round.