Coco Gauff’s passion for Marvel is more than just a fandom; it’s woven into her identity. At the 2025 Australian Open, her superhero-inspired New Balance kit showcased this connection, but it goes deeper than fashion. Gauff identifies with the resilience and strength of characters like Peter Parker, relating to his experience as a young hero. This connection influences her on-court persona. From binge-watching WandaVision to defending Captain America’s honor, Gauff truly embodies the spirit of a Marvel fan.

Currently ranked No. 3 in the world, Gauff is in the middle of the WTA tour’s Middle East swing. She faced a tough exit in the first round against Marta Kostyuk at the Qatar Open on Tuesday. It was surprising to see a player who was winning consistently since December facing such challenges, but Gauff remains undeterred. Her next match is at the Dubai Tennis Championships tomorrow, but first, she’s taking some leisure time with a solo movie date.

Coco often heads to the cinema after a hard-fought match or to celebrate a victory. Following her triumph in the first round at the Australian Open and with a two-day break before her next contest, she visited a cinema in Melbourne to watch Disney’s Mufasa – The Lion King. This time, while in the UAE, she caught the new Marvel release – Captain America: Brave New World. She shared moments from the outing on her Instagram Story, playfully noting that she went without her best friend Jessica Pegula: “lol @jpegula I made it without you 🤣.”

After the movie, Gauff wasted no time sharing her thoughts about it with a bold one-liner for any critics on her IG Story: “over hated movie!! this was good. one of the best movies for marvel in this post-endgame era. ya’ll some haters fr.”

Historically, Marvel movies have enjoyed a reputation as some of the finest in cinematic history, known for strong characters and engaging storylines that captivated fans over two-hour spans. However, a 2024 SHS Web of Conferences publication suggests that the Marvel Cinematic Universe may be experiencing a decline in audience engagement. The study indicates that the repetitive nature and diminished quality of storylines following “Avengers: Endgame” (2019) have led to a growing disinterest among long-time fans.

She reiterated her thoughts on her X profile: “i’m convinced ya’ll some haters because the new captain america movie was good.” Gauff might be onto something with her defense of Captain America: Brave New World! Sure, some fans have been critical of the film, but let’s not overlook the numbers. It raked in a solid $192.4 million worldwide, including estimates from the domestic holiday Monday! Out of that, $92.4 million came from 52 overseas markets by Sunday. So, while opinions may vary, it looks like audiences are still showing up and enjoying the ride!

Her words carry weight; as a long-time fan of the franchise, she’s been vocal about her admiration for it. Notably, Marvel has honored Coco by featuring her in their comics in the past!

Coco Gauff lives a Marvel fan’s dream after being featured in their advertisement!

Coco Gauff‘s Marvel fandom reached a new level in 2023 when she appeared on the cover of the Invincible Iron Man #7 comic variant! Gauff excitedly shared the image on Instagram, asking, “Does this mean I am canon to the Marvel universe now?” The limited-edition comic, part of Hustl’s rare collection, was exclusively available on their website. But the Marvel love didn’t stop there!

In December 2024, Gauff shared another exciting moment on her IG story: her photo spotted on a Marvel comic book cover. “Lol another coco side quest me on the cover of a marvel comic,” she wrote, clearly thrilled about being featured in a comic book she adores. This wasn’t her first Marvel experience either!

Last year, she starred in a promotion for Marvel’s Captain Marvel Two, sharing the film’s message and living her Marvel dream. “I’m in a Marvel ad. This is not a drill! Ahh,” Gauff exclaimed, showcasing her excitement.

It’s clear Gauff’s passion for Marvel is something her fans can totally relate to! Now, as the 20-year-old champion prepares for her next match, we can’t help but wonder if she’ll bring that superhero energy to the court as she chases her next win. Will we see a super-powered serve or an Ironheart-inspired forehand? Share your thoughts in the comments below!