Picture this: the tension of the 2023 US Open, a crucial changeover for rising star Coco Gauff. Instead of the usual intense focus, the cameras zoomed in on a different kind of strategy – Gauff happily munching on a fruit salad! This genuine love for on-court fruit took a delicious new turn last June when Gauff was playfully appointed “Chief Smoothie Officer” for Naked Smoothies, a brand with over 30 years of leadership in fruit and veggie nutrition. It’s a perfect match, bringing her favorite mango, pineapple, and grapes into convenient bottles. And the fun doesn’t stop there; this sponsorship is delivering engaging content for fans, with their latest playful focus on the often-unsung heroes: the ball boys.

Known for her sweet tooth, Gauff once shared, “I like smoothies that are on the sweeter end, just because I have a sweet tooth. A lot of times when I want to satisfy that sweet tooth without eating actual dessert, I’ll eat fruit.” Naturally, her partnership with the brand is an organic fit!

Just yesterday, April 9th, Naked Smoothies shared another engaging advertisement featuring Gauff. Sitting in a director’s chair beside a podium of smoothie bottles, she candidly shared her thoughts on the role: “I was recently named Naked’s Chief Smoothie Officer. But I didn’t know the position came with a…smoothie boy?”

We’re familiar with ball boys, who vigilantly watch the court, ready to toss a ball to players and catch stray ones. Their role requires rigorous physical training due to the long duration of tennis matches, as they keep the match flowing by having a ball ready for opponents. But what about a “smoothie boy”?

In Coco Gauff’s team, he might have a similar role but focused solely on smoothies. How does he feel about this unique position? Cliff Schutt, the “smoothie boy,” expressed his enthusiasm: “To do what I love and do it for Naked Smoothies and Coco Gauff? That’s what I call a win-win-win.”

The reel showcased moments from Coco’s campaign. In one shot, she looked confused as Cliff handed her smoothies every time she reached out. Another creative scene showed him sprinting across the court mid-match to deliver her favorite drink before returning to his spot beside an on-court ball boy.

Eventually, Coco warmed up to the idea, saying, “It took a little while getting used to. But it’s really grown on me.” The ad ended with her confidently reaching out for a smoothie, pleased with its swift delivery.

Could the “smoothie boy” make an appearance on court someday? There’s no telling yet. But this campaign might just be Coco’s best mix of humor and commercials. In February, in an Instagram clip, she brought the laughs again.

Captioned “Quick sips, quick win @nakedsmoothie 🍎🍑🍊🍉🍋🍍🍓,” she joked about her new role: “Now, I’m the Chief Smoothie Officer. I get all the Naked Smoothie I want, which is good because before…”

The video cut to a hilarious scene where she blended smoothies on court, even offering one to the chair umpire, who firmly replied, “No.” Gauff wrapped up with a cheeky grin: “It’s better now.” Naked Smoothie chimed in with a witty remark: “Who has time for blending these days?”

But why Naked Smoothies only?

Coco on why Naked Smoothies is the perfect fit for her

When Coco Gauff joined forces with the smoothie brand, CEO Glen Walter was elated. He said, “As an athlete, advocate, daughter, sister, friend, and now Chief Smoothie Officer, Coco is a true multi-hyphenate and knows better than anyone that you can be many things at once.” But what pushed the No.4 player to make this move?

Speaking to Entrepreneur following the announcement, Gauff noted that her morning routine varies depending on whether she’s playing a match or not. But one thing’s consistent: she’s not a “breakfast person.”

Highlighting how a liquid snack helps in this case, she said, “I tend to reach for fruit and smoothies in the morning to fuel me. When I am at a major, my morning routine is dependent on what time of day I am playing, but it roughly looks the same.”

Her inspiration for signing with the brand was roughly along the same lines: “For years, my go-to snack, especially during match changeovers, has been a homemade fruit salad, so partnering with Naked — whose smoothies are made with ingredients such as real fruit juice, veggies and vitamins — was the perfect choice for my first beverage partnership.” Plus, it gives us a glimpse of Coco’s playful side!

It’s refreshing to see Gauff acting out playful skits like this, right? But as she heads to Stuttgart for her next tournament, can her smoothie-fueled energy bring her a win? Share your thoughts in the comments!