Can Coco Gauff repeat Serena Williams‘ feat of defending her US Open title? Gauff’s ability to defend her US Open title will depend on her performance in the tournament. Her recent decline in form has raised concerns among American tennis fans. However, she has already started polishing her new weapons. Gauff’s agility has been one of her biggest strengths in her game. And, to help her move more comfortably in the footsteps of Williams, she has come up with a new pair of shoes for the 2024 US Open.

When Coco Gauff steps onto Arthur Ashe Stadium to defend her US Open title, she’ll be wearing a new and improved version of her signature shoes. Buoyed by her confidence in the design, Coco Gauff collaborated with New Balance-a renowned American sports and apparel brand-to launch the first colorway of the Coco CG2 on August 21st. This inaugural design, dubbed “Power and Grace,” takes inspiration from New York City, the stage for her US Open title defense.

The CG2 itself builds upon the legacy of the New Balance 550s, incorporating similar design elements with a playful twist. Replacing the basketball icon on the tongue label with a tennis ball, Gauff adds a personal touch to the shoe. Reflecting on her thoughts on this new pair of shoes from New Balance, Gauff said, “The New Balance team always lets me be creative when it comes to design, and I really wanted this first CG2 colorway to capture New York’s incredible energy.”

Coco Gauff, now 20, joined New Balance in 2018 at the young age of 14. The brand introduced the Coco CG1 in the summer of 2022, offering her a signature shoe for the past two years. Inspired by basketball culture, New Balance released multiple colorways of the CG1. It remains the only active player’s signature tennis shoe on the market.

The CG2 has a few similarities with CG1, namely its mid-top profile and retro-inspired design. This new design is inspired by the 550, one of Gauff’s favorite NB silhouettes. The geometric design cues represent the architecture of Paris, a city that is very close to Gauff’s heart. Her excitement for this new pair of shoes clearly portrayed through her Instagram story, where she wrote, “new sig shoe.”

She further added, “I loved the mid-top design of the CG1 not just for the aesthetic, but also for how much support and stability it gives me on the court. There was no question we would keep the same mid-top for the CG2.” Another interesting fact involving this shoe is that, we all know CG1 has the famous phrase from his dad, “You can change the world with your racket.” According to New Balance, CG2 channels her “Power and Grace, on and off the court.” It’s wonderful to see how well they portray her inner character with their extraordinary designs.

What did Coco Gauff wear during her first major title triumph?

Speaking about his relationship with New Balance Gauff once revealed, “My relationship with the New Balance team is incredible.” She added, “I had as much fun designing and collaborating on the CG2 as I did with the CG1.” Launched two years ago, Coco CG1, her first-ever signature show, were worn by Coco Gauff during her first Grand Slam triumph.

New Balance came up with a Coco CG1 ‘Unity of Sport’ edition before the 2024 Indian Wells and then came the CG1 ‘Grey’ edition before the French Open this year. However, now when the news came up for the introduction of the CG2, according to Josh Wilder, product manager for NB, Gauff wanted it to be an “evolution, not a revolution.”

The brand wants its products to evolve in a similar way as Gauff does in her life as a person. Its underfoot design still features the Energy Arc technology with full-length FuelCell cushioning and a carbon fiber shank. The “Two” inscribed on the right heel tab of the CG2 is the most feminine single-digit number. Overall, it seems, this $170 USD weapon of Gauff is ready to rock the floor of the tennis courts and might take her a step closer to Serena-like feat.