Coco Gauff, one of tennis’s brightest stars, is always looking for ways to elevate her game and maintain her competitive edge. Recently, the American sensation made some significant changes, including parting ways with former coach Brad Gilbert in a bid to address her serving challenges. As she prepares for the 2025 season, Gauff also unveiled a new addition to her signature shoe line with her sponsor, New Balance, which is valued at $4.3 billion.
Gauff’s collaboration with New Balance began in 2022 when she launched her first signature shoe, the CG1. This iconic pair gained immense significance as she wore them to secure her first Grand Slam title in New York. Reflecting on the CG1, Gauff remarked, “I won my first major in the CG1. So, that shoe will always be special to me.” However, with the game evolving, it was time for a fresh design, and the second generation of her shoe series, the CG2, was released just in time for her new season.
The 21-year-old took to Instagram to introduce the CG2, highlighting its improvements and unique design elements. True to her style, the shoe features intricate “easter eggs” that are deeply personal to her. While her first shoe included details such as her name, the coordinates of the park where she grew up playing tennis, and tributes to her parents’ sports backgrounds, the CG2 offers subtler but equally meaningful touches. One of the standout features is her initials engraved on the sole, giving the shoe a personalized and classic theme. Gauff mentioned that one particular easter egg had yet to be noticed by fans, prompting her to showcase it herself.
Despite facing challenges earlier in the year during her North American hardcourt swing, Gauff managed to turn things around impressively. She saw notable success during the Asian swing under the guidance of coach Matt Daly, winning the China Open and capping off her year with a dominant performance at the WTA Finals in Riyadh. In the finals, she outclassed Qinwen Zheng to claim the title, marking one of the most significant achievements of her career.
The victory in Riyadh was not just a milestone in terms of performance but also financially. Gauff earned a record-breaking $4.8 million in prize money, the highest ever recorded in WTA history. Reflecting on this achievement, she shared her surprise, saying, “I knew it was some money, but I didn’t know it was that much.” She added that she had already bought a house and planned to attend a music festival, emphasizing that she is not someone who tends to splurge excessively.
Looking ahead, Gauff is set to begin her 2025 season by representing Team USA at the United Cup, which kicks off on December 29. As she gears up for another competitive year, her new shoe and recent successes signal her readiness to continue building on her already impressive career.