“When you walk on court with a good outfit, and your hair, your braids are fresh and your skin is looking good, then you just feel like ‘Okay I am gonna beat this girl today,” Coco Gauff said last October in a promotion video for her sponsor, Carol’s Daughter. And she truly meant it. No matter the setting, the American ace turns heads with her impeccable fashion sense, whether with her sleek Happy Slam kit on the court or her effortlessly cool ‘all-denim’ look at a WNBA game. So, quite naturally, when Hollywood’s biggest night arrived at her door, she didn’t disappoint.

Stepping onto the Oscar’s red carpet in a bold, breathtaking yellow gown, Coco commanded both attention and admiration, solidifying her status as not just a tennis icon but a fashionista in her own right.

The story unfolded at the 97th Academy Awards as Gauff graced the red carpet outside Hollywood’s iconic Dolby Theatre in a breathtaking yellow gown. The former US Champion dazzled in a custom bedazzled ‘Miu Miu’ dress, featuring intricate jewel embellishments and a dramatic train. She completed her look with elegant diamond earrings, a Rolex watch, and a chic braided updo, blending sophistication with her signature bold style at the Hollywood gala.

And, as soon as the World No. 3 shared glimpses of her Oscars night, both before and after the event, the internet erupted with fans and fellow athletes getting awestruck. Even her parents couldn’t hold back their admiration for the tennis ace, showering her with praise. 

The American No. 1 treated her fans to two rounds of IG posts within a span of a few hours. At first, she shared stunning pre-red carpet photos, captioning them with “moments before arriving to the #oscars ✨💫.” The post immediately drew admiration, with American influencer and current ATP No. 10 Tommy Paul’s girlfriend Paige Lorenze gushing, “Coco!!!!! 😍😍😍” Even Gauff’s father, Corey, couldn’t hold back his pride, commenting, “You look so beautiful.” The current AO champion Madison Keys also chimed in, adding, “This color is stunning on you.”

Later, after receiving a warm welcome at the Oscars, Coco Gauff dropped another set of breathtaking pictures, captioned “my first oscars in custom @miumiu & @rolex 💫💛” Once again, Lorenze was quick to react to that, exclaiming, “Omgggggggg it’s perfect 💛💛💛💛💛.” Meanwhile, Danielle Collins crowned Coco the Hollywood night’s fashion queen, commenting, “Best style goes to you @cocogauff 💛🌟. Coco Gauff received much-deserved appreciation from her mother, Candi, who was also present at the event. Candi reshared Coco’s first set of photos on her IG stories and included three heart emojis in her caption.

Speaking of Candi, she attended the event dressed in a striking dark ‘metallic gown’, exuding elegance while capturing moments with actress and ‘Emmy winner Storm Reid’. Reid attended the event alongside her mother, Robyn Simpson Reid, and Candi captioned her post with, “Love being the plus one!!!! Oscars 2025.”

Later, Candi shared some backstage moments as well, posting pictures with Whoopi Goldberg and Samuel L. Jackson. She captioned the post, “Backstage action at the Oscars. Two amazing people!!! Whoopi Goldberg and Samuel L. Jackson.”

After a memorable night at the Oscars, Coco Gauff is set to shift her focus back to tennis, as she is all set to feature in the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. However, before stepping away from Hollywood’s grand stage, the 2023 US Open champion shared a powerful reflection on her journey, emphasizing that she is “more than just a tennis player.” 

“I get anxiety really bad” — Coco explains about what keeps her from attending Hollywood events

Coco Gauff didn’t just shine in front of the cameras at the 2025 Oscars, she also took a moment to chat with TV host Kevin Frazier and correspondent Nichelle Turner. During their conversation, the 20-year-old confirmed that she would soon be leaving Hollywood’s glitz and glamor to focus on preparations for the Indian Wells in Palm Springs. However, Gauff also opened up about why she rarely attends these high-profile Hollywood gala nights, offering her fans a glimpse into the balance she maintains between her tennis career and life beyond the center court.

“I’m usually the one who says no to these things because I get anxiety really bad, but I’m just happy to be here. I wanna be more than just a tennis player and step into other worlds. I just always imagined myself as a tennis player. So that part I’m like, ‘Okay, I’m prepared for that,’ but this part of it, everything is new, outside of my wildest dreams, but I’m taking it. I’m thanking god for i,t and I’m happy to be here,” Coco explained.

With the BNP Paribas Open on the horizon, Coco is setting her sights on a stronger campaign this time around. After falling short in the SF last season, the World No. 3 will be looking to go all the way and claim the prestigious WTA 1000 title in the desert conditions. But the question remains: Will Coco shine on the court just as effortlessly as she dazzled on the Oscars red carpet a couple of moments ago?