Coco Gauff, the tennis prodigy who silenced her detractors after her triumphant win at the 2023 US Open, is no stranger to bold and spirited personalities. The 20-year-old athlete, who has rapidly risen to World No. 3, recently expressed her admiration for global superstar Rihanna, especially after the pop star’s assertive reaction to an intrusive line of questioning following her partner A$AP Rocky’s court case.
A$AP Rocky, the celebrated American rapper, was recently cleared of all charges in a protracted legal battle in Los Angeles. Following the verdict and his subsequent release, Rocky was swarmed by reporters, one of whom attempted to encroach on his personal space with inappropriate queries. Rihanna, ever the protective partner, retorted sharply, “How do you think it feels?” This confident stance left a lasting impression on Gauff, who shared a picture of the couple on her Instagram story dated February 21 with the caption, “Mood.”
Rihanna isn’t a new fascination for the 2024 WTA Finals winner. Gauff has been an ardent admirer of the superstar and her meteoric rise to the top. In fact, when asked to choose between Rihanna and Beyonce as her preferred dining companion at the BNP Paribas Open in March 2024, Gauff picked Rihanna without hesitation.
“I’m going to go with Rihanna,” Gauff declared. She even elaborated on her choice, expressing her curiosity about the pop star’s successful venture into the beauty industry with Fenty Beauty. This makeup brand distinguished itself by providing a full spectrum of foundation shades catering to all skin tones. In just three years since its 2017 launch, Fenty Beauty netted Rihanna a staggering $550 million in profits.
Gauff’s own trajectory mirrors Rihanna’s in some ways. The young tennis star has been making waves in her sport, pocketing over $30 million in prize money last season. Her winnings were significantly bolstered by her victory in Riyadh, which added a cool $4.8 million to her earnings. But does Gauff have entrepreneurial aspirations of her own?
When asked at a press conference during the BNP Paribas Open if she planned to launch her own beauty brand, Gauff responded, “It’s definitely something I want to do later on in my career.” She acknowledged her love for beauty and fashion, but clarified that her focus remains on her tennis career for now.
In April 2024, Gauff did venture into a collaboration with Carol’s Daughter, a leading hair care brand. While the details of the multi-year deal remain undisclosed, Gauff expressed her pride in partnering with a brand that aligns with her values.
As she gears up for her upcoming matches, Gauff is hoping to rebound from her recent losses. She was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and failed to progress beyond the first round at the Qatar Open and in Dubai. Will she be able to regain her winning form at Indian Wells, her next tournament? Only time will tell. Meanwhile, her admiration for powerful women like Rihanna continues to inspire and motivate her both on and off the court.
