Tennis isn’t the only business that Coco Gauff needs to handle. Following her early exit from Wimbledon on July 8th, defeated by Emma Navarro in the Round of 16, Gauff turned her attention away from tennis. Engaging in an interview with Forbes a day later, the World No. 2 expressed her desire to continue wooing tennis fans with not just her on-court talent, but her actions, off of it as well. And to explain the same, she shared the example of her icon, Roger Federer.

Talking in the interview, the 20-year-old recalled Federer’s 2008 Wimbledon attire. Lauding it, she said, “That’s one of those things that are timeless.” The Swiss Maestro wore an extra creamy Cardigan sweater with dark gold trimmings that extended from the collar to the shirt’s bottom button at that year’s Wimbledon. He was also seen in a similar hair color that matched his appearance. Gauff continued and expressed her desire to leave a lasting impact like Federer. 

“It’s always going to be iconic no matter who is looking at it or what age they are. – I want to make sure that things I do, not only on the court but off-court, appear timeless.” Gauff’s statement comes just days after she partnered with shipping giant UPS to uplift small businesses. Titled, ‘Coco vs. The Doubters,’ the campaign highlights Generation Z entrepreneurs who overcome the difficult odds of operating a profitable business.

Tennis sensation Gauff, who raked in $15 million(per Forbes) off the court last year, has some unconventional advice for Entrepreneurs: “I think delusional is great. All of the greatest athletes and greatest artists have to have a little bit of craziness and delusion. Having a little bit of craziness in your goal is kind of healthy.”

Coming back to Federer, the reigning US Open winner shared similar sentiments about him in 2021 as well. “I think the way he influenced the game, how to act, how to respond to the media, and how to handle yourself it’s something that I try to model myself,” she said about Federer. While Coco has often expressed that she partners with only those brands that she relates with, the nuances of business are not managed by her alone. 

Did you know that Gauff takes help to manage the technicalities of brand deals?

Raised in Atlanta, the American tennis sensation made a debut in professional tennis when she was just 14. After she defeated Venus Williams in the first round of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships, she etched her name more profoundly in the tennis corridors. This meant brand collaboration for her.

She partnered with several companies over her journey including Ray-Ban and Meta for their new smart glasses, Bose, New Balance, and Naked. While it can be hectic for someone as young as Coco, she revealed the help she receives from her father. 

Speaking to Forbes in a past interview, Gauff said, “I am definitely more involved when it comes to making decisions and working with brands.” She added that she partners with only those brands that she cares about. “My dad loves to teach me about that and how you have to be very literal. Everything has to be in writing. I am just learning about the legal side of it all.”

As the season progresses, the eyes will now remain on Coco Gauff’s performance. Can she do something exceptional at the Olympics and then the US Open? We will get to know as the American progresses.