“It’s an absolute dream come true to be able to put my stamp on this sport with New Balance and hopefully inspire generations to come,” tennis sensation Coco Gauff once shared her excitement with Forbes about launching the Coco CG1: a bold fusion of ‘90s sportswear aesthetics and basketball-inspired silhouettes, infused with cutting-edge technology tailored for tennis players. Since signing her endorsement deal in 2018, Gauff and New Balance (NB) have forged a seamless partnership, culminating in her becoming the only WTA star with a signature shoe at the recently concluded Happy Slam. And, now, with NB unveiling its latest sneaker innovation, Gauff couldn’t help but shower praise on the brand. But what exactly did she say?

Yesterday, NB and Coco Gauff proudly introduced the “Coco Delray”, a tennis shoe designed for players of all levels, blending performance with a deep connection to professional tennis. The launch comes with a powerful campaign celebrating tennis as more than just a game: it’s about community, connection, and culture. A heartwarming campaign video shared on NB’s official IG, features Coco alongside her grandmother, ‘Yvonne Lee Odom’, as they reflect on the values that shaped her journey, Quoting, “Every place has a story to tell. Introducing the Coco Delray, from the court that Coco calls home. Available March 13th, 2025”. The video beautifully captures the third seeds’ roots in ‘Delray Beach’, highlighting the public courts at ‘Pompey Park’, where she honed her skills with the unwavering support of her family, friends, and community.

Beyond just training, the former US Open Champion’s time at Pompey Park taught her that athletes aren’t just born: they’re built by the communities that lift them. And, moments after the campaign went live, the 9-time WTA singles winner reshared the video, expressing gratitude to New Balance for their continued partnership and, of course, sending a heartfelt thank-you to the woman who has inspired her from day one: her Granny.

Just hours ago, American tennis ace Coco Gauff took to her IG Story to re-share the powerful campaign video, quoting, “my new shoe with new balance launches tomorrow, thank you to my grandma for starring in this @yvonne.odom, thank you @joefreshgoods for helping create the vision, you are awesome and so talented! thank you @newbalance for trusting me, and most importantly thank you Delray Beach for inspiring me,” But that wasn’t all! She also re-shared a post from the creative director of her latest video, ‘Joefreshgoods’, which featured a heartfelt moment with her grandmother, Yvonne Lee Odom.

In the clip, Odom can be heard saying, “If you are part of something you should leave something part of you and you can take it with you and that’s how it is,” while Joefreshgoods captioned the post with, “granny is the best @cocogauff, a trailblazer and a superstar,” The exchange highlights the deep personal and cultural significance of the campaign, reinforcing Gauff’s roots and the unwavering support of her community.

Available in both men’s and women’s sizes, the ‘Coco Delray’ is built for any match, from local parks to elite competition. This design prioritizes style, comfort, and performance through the integration of a low-top silhouette, a nylon plate for enhanced stability, and a FuelCell midsole for lightweight cushioning. Its durable rubber outsole ensures longevity, even in the most grueling matches in tennis.

Inspired by ‘90s tennis and basketball aesthetics, much like her Coco CG2, the “Coco Delray” blends fashion with high-performance functionality. Throughout this season, new colorways will launch alongside her signature model, allowing players worldwide to match Coco’s style on the court.  And, while proud of this milestone with NB, Gauff faces another heartbreak, as her subpar run continues, marked by a disappointing Indian Wells exit.

“I’m trying to do better,” Coco Gauff after the exit from the Indian Wells Open

Coco Gauff’s tough season rolls on! After a QF exit at the Australian Open, things took a downturn with 1st-round eliminations at both the Qatar Open and Dubai Open. At Indian Wells, she seemed to regain momentum, securing solid wins in the R64 and R32. However, her campaign ended in heartbreak as she fell to the recent Abu Dhabi Open champion Belinda Bencic in a three-set battle, despite winning the 1st one. And, following her defeat, Gauff opened up about her struggles, reflecting on her recent form and the challenges she faces in getting back to her best.

“Obviously I wanted to do better, want to have better results, but it’s not something I can crush myself on. I’m trying to do better, and that’s all I can do. I’m trying to work on things in practice, and unfortunately right now it’s not translating how I’d like to,” Coco added. 

After a heartbreaking exit at BNP Paribas Open, can Coco Gauff turn the tide and reclaim her dominance at the Miami Open later this month? Share your thoughts below!