If you noticed a striking resemblance between Coco Gauff’s attire on the opening day of the 2024 Wimbledon and another tennis superstar, there’s a good reason for that.
The 20-year-old American has ascended rapidly to the upper echelons of tennis, currently holding the No. 2 ranking in the world. In 2023, she clinched her first Grand Slam victory at the US Open, a significant milestone on her journey to complete the prestigious Grand Slam in tennis, which requires winning four major events.
While Gauff has excelled at various Grand Slam tournaments, Wimbledon has posed a challenge for her. Despite triumphing at the US Open in 2023, reaching the French Open finals in 2022, and making it to the Australian Open semifinals in 2024, her best Wimbledon finish so far has been reaching the fourth round in 2019 and 2021.
This year, Gauff aims to break new ground in London and is channeling her champion mindset through her choice of outfit.
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Coco Gauff’s Wimbledon Attire
Gauff has never shied away from making a statement with her on-court attire. Her ensemble for the first round of the 2024 Wimbledon turned heads for its striking resemblance to that of another American tennis icon—Serena Williams. In 2019, the seven-time Wimbledon champion sported an outfit nearly identical to Gauff’s.
Serena Williams (2019) 🤝🏾 Coco Gauff (2024)
It’s been five years since Serena reached her last #Wimbledon final. Imagine if Coco made her first championship here this year 💫 pic.twitter.com/hkxT0gsEaI
This isn’t the first time Gauff has mirrored Williams’ style. At the 2024 Australian Open, Gauff’s outfit bore a striking resemblance to Williams’ attire from the 2016 Australian Open, featuring a yellow tank top and matching skirt.
Coco Gauff, 2024 Australian Open
Serena Williams, 2016 Australian Open
These fashion similarities are no accident. Gauff revealed to People that her Grand Slam outfits are meticulously planned well in advance of the tournaments.
“My Grand Slam outfits are planned basically a year to two years, even maybe sometimes longer in advance,” Gauff shared.
So, why does Gauff emulate Serena’s style? The answer is simple.
“She’s my idol,” Gauff expressed to ESPN in September 2023. “The only regret I’ll have for the rest of my life is not being able to play her. But I’m still happy to just be a product of her legacy and be out here for American tennis.”
Gauff has openly praised Serena, her sister Venus, and their father Richard. While she faced Venus at the 2019 Wimbledon, defeating one of her role models at just 15 years old, she never had the chance to compete against Serena, who has retired from professional tennis to focus on her family.
“[Serena] is the GOAT,” Gauff acknowledged. “I’d hope to do half of what she did. But I’m not gonna compare myself to her.”