“Whether it’s box braids, twists, or my natural hair, it’s a form of self-expression that I’m really proud of,” Coco Gauff once said, and she continues to embody that pride with every new look. A rising force in the WTA, Gauff has navigated a sport where diversity is still growing, forging her path with resilience. But her journey is deeply inspired by Venus and Serena Williams, not just their Grand Slam success, but their fearless self-expression and style statements. With their game and their signature styles, the Williams sisters redefined tennis, and Gauff is carrying that legacy forward. Recently she even suggested combining her unique hairstyle with the long-standing legacy of the Williams sisters on the court.

In celebration of Black History Month, the World No. 3 and reigning WTA Finals champion Coco Gauff showcased a striking new hairstyle paying tribute to the legendary Williams sisters. Teaming up with Carol’s Daughter, Gauff unveiled a look featuring beaded cornrows; an affectionate homage to Serena and Venus, who famously made headlines in the early 2000s with their iconic beaded hairstyles in the tennis arena.

Just one day ago, the official page of Carol’s Daughter shared a collaboration video with Coco where she said, “I remember obviously watching Venus and Serena when I was young. This look is kind of a homage to them. They’ve always changed their hair. They had the beads, they had the braids, they had the curls, they had straight, they had everything.” The 20-year-old also talked about her journey as a black tennis athlete in the current generation. “When I became more aware of what I wanted to do with my hair, I was inspired by and took note of what they were doing with theirs.”

However, just as the video got online, the hair designer Yojanse Jimenez shared another video on his IG where Coco was flaunting her hair, captioning, “A crown braided in history. ✨ For @cocogauff, this beaded braid look is more than just a style—it’s a tribute to the legacy of Venus and Serena, who paved the way for champions like her. Honoring the past while celebrating the present, Coco continues to inspire the next generation with her talent, grace, and undeniable power. 🖤🏆”. Later, the 9-time WTA singles title winner shared the same video on her IG stories, adding, “#YojanseDidIt”. 

Although Coco first burst onto the tennis scene in 2019, sporting ‘box braids’ at Wimbledon, by the 2023 US Open, she had switched to ‘cornrows’. “Honestly, I wanted to try this and I got tired of braids all the time. I like to change up my hair. I’ve tried color in the past with the braids and everything, but I just needed something different,” she even said at that time. 

Her passion for hairstyling experimentation was amplified through a long-term collaboration with Carol’s Daughter, a brand renowned for its celebration of Black beauty. Even before their official collaboration, the current no. 3 had been a longtime user of the brand’s products, making the partnership feel like a natural fit.

This was, however, not the first instance of Coco Gauff paying tribute to the Williams sisters, notwithstanding her elaborate braided hairstyle.

“Having role models like Serena and Venus to look up to made a difference” — Coco Gauff opens up about the Williams sisters

Coco Gauff has repeatedly emphasized the considerable impact of Venus and Serena Williams on her career, describing them as inspirational figures who facilitated her achievements. Featuring in a video clip by Baker Tilly US last year, the 2023 US Champion candidly reflected on her experience as a black athlete in a ‘predominantly white’ sport. She noted that a lack of local recognition for her on-court achievements during her youth highlighted the profound influence of pioneering figures like the Williams sisters on her career trajectory.

“Finding myself was difficult. Being Black in tennis is, sometimes you do stick out like a sore thumb. Like in the Black community, tennis is not a huge thing. Nobody really knew anything about it. I had mentioned that I play tennis but nobody cared,” she said.

Continuing further, Coco added, “But I feel like for me, having role models like Serena and Venus to look up to make a difference. Honestly, I just remember watching Venus at US Open. My dad got second-row tickets and we were so close and that was a cool thing,”. 

On the court, Coco will next compete at the Indian Wells Open starting March 5th. Do you think she is a strong favorite for the title there?