“You have to sacrifice for fashion”: Coco Gauff breaks down Marvel-inspired Australian Open fit

A streaking Coco Gauff was fast out of the gates to kick off her 2025 Australian Open campaign—easing through an 80-minute first round against Sofia Kenin to win a sixth straight match this season—leaving the world No. 3 extra time to break down her latest New Balance fit on Rod Laver Arena.

“I’m a huge Marvel fan, and a lot of the female superheroes have cool cut-outs on their outfits. That’s what I wanted to do,” Gauff told Laura Robson after the 6-3 6-3 win over Kenin, the 2020 champion. New Balance has great designers; it’s actually kind of a pain to get into because it is a bodysuit, guys! I have to put the bottom part on first and pull it over my head. It’s kind of a struggle, and if you can’t hold your bladder, it’s also not a good idea…A couple times I’ve had to ask the referee to help unzip me to use the bathroom!

“You have to sacrifice for fashion!” she added with a laugh.

The 20-year-old has been at the forefront of serving unique silhouettes since signing with New Balance as a teenager in 2018, complimenting the superhero flair with a “cargo skirt” and sneakers that serve as a tribute to father Corey.

“My shoes are inspired by basketball shoes because that’s the sport my dad wanted me to play,” she said before clarifying, “I’m glad I chose tennis!”

Gauff is understandably in an excellent mood as she continues to build on the momentum with which she ended 2024, having won her first WTA Finals in Riyadh back in November. She hit the ground running just over a month later at United Cup, where she scored a second straight win over Iga Swiatek and led the United States to victory alongside teammate Taylor Fritz.

“Anything can happen, and there’s no easy rounds in any tournament as a professional tennis player,” she mused. “But sometimes when there’s tough moments, I remind myself that I’ve done it before and hopefully I can do it again. It’s one of those things where you have to have belief in yourself but not expectations for yourself.”

Gauff will next face Great Britain’s Jodie Burrage; their only previous meeting came on grass in 2023, where the American dropped just two games at the Rothesay International in Eastbourne.

Can Gauff continue to serve looks and winning tennis Down Under?