Outfit of the Day: Coco Gauff holds court in new US Open kit & CG2 shoes

NEW YORK—“I was definitely not expecting that!” Coco Gauff exclaimed during one of her several New York City events in the hectic build-up to the US Open.

The 2023 champion could have been speaking about any number of recent surreal events: Seeing her face on a Wheaties cereal box, landing on the cover of a tennis video game, or being selected as Team USA’s flag bearer alongside Lebron James at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Read More: FIRST LOOK: New Balance unveils Coco CG2, Coco Gauff's second signature shoe

This time, it was her reaction to seeing artist Jaden Smith—the son of actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett, and a New Balance star in his own right—make a surprise appearance at her New Balance Coco CG2 launch party to perform one of his biggest hits.

“I’m always listening to ‘Icon’ to get myself hyped up before I play, so it was amazing to see him perform it live,” Gauff gushed to guests afterward.

Just another surreal Thursday evening for the 20-year-old, who is still the only woman in tennis to have her own signature shoe—now in its second edition with New Balance.

But come Monday afternoon, Gauff was all business.

The No. 3 seed raced past Varvara Gracheva in the first round at the US Open, dropping just two games to record a confidence-boosting 6-0, 6-2 victory.

Clocking in at 66 minutes, the match on Arthur Ashe Stadium was just long enough to hush a few of her doubters—and plenty of time to show off her new custom kit for the year’s final Grand Slam, courtesy of New Balance.

The defending champion rocked a cornflower blue dress that hinted at separates, thanks to strategic cutouts at the midriff and lower back. A form-fitting sleeveless bodice with a keyhole cutout added to the illusion, seamlessly fused with a fun pleated skirt that billowed with each movement.

Gauff completed the look with her brand new Coco CG2 shoes, of course, in the launch colorway of Power and Grace with its Oxidized Blue, Firefly Yellow and white accents.

After the match, it was a different on-court accessory that caught fans’ attention: A new white-gold colored necklace, which features the iconic Olympic rings shaped out of precious stones—a gift from Desirae Krawczyk to the whole Olympic tennis team.

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“Usually I try to wear a necklace during the whole tournament. Last year, I think I wore a locket-type necklace,” Gauff explained. “I was like, I just came off the Olympics and was a flag bearer. So I might as well flex that…

“Some people get the tattoos. I don't know if I'm committed to a tattoo yet. So I was like, I'll do the necklace.”

No. 3 seed Gauff moved into the second round, where she will face Tatjana Maria on Wednesday. The German defeated Argentine qualifier Solana Sierra in straight sets to move on.