Tennis phenom Coco Gauff turned heads and set social-feeds ablaze during the official WTA Finals photoshoot in Riyadh — and not just for her game. Off-court fashion took centre stage when she stepped out in a custom-designed gown by Miu Miu, snapped the spotlight, and triggered an outpouring of pride and adoration from those closest to her — her mom, Candi, and her boyfriend, Jalen Sera.
The post she shared on Instagram featured three images: two solo shots of Coco radiating elegance in the gown, and a third of her standing tall alongside the other elite players in the finals. She captioned the post simply: “4th year in a row✨ @wtafinalsriyadh ty @miumiu for this beautiful dress.” What followed was a tidal wave of heart-emojis, “SLAY” comments and affectionate reposts.
Candi Gauff, ever-supportive mum and former track athlete turned educator, reshared Coco’s post on her Story and layered it with a flurry of red-heart emojis. Meanwhile, Jalen Sera — whose Instagram Story reposted Coco’s moment with GIFs of perfect-10 scorecards — made it clear: behind this champion, stands a cheering squad who sees more than the racquet-swing.
And the reactions weren’t restricted to her inner circle. Fellow star and friend Amanda Anisimova commented “Pop off,” and others joined in with words like “Beauty queen” and “Love this look.” It was obvious: Coco’s ‘off-court’ moment was as electrifying as any smash she’d ever unleashed on court.
But this isn’t just about the gown. It’s about the confidence. The poise. The fact that at 21, she’s showing the world she can dominate the scoreboard and the spotlight. Her journey has been one of endless grind, early-morning serves, relentless baseline battles and more than a few internal battles her fans never saw. Yet here she was, exuding sheer style, surrounded by a team who sees her human side, not just the number on the ranking sheet.
That’s what made this moment so powerful. Her mother cheering loudly in the wings. Her partner whispering “you’ve got this” when the cameras weren’t rolling. A stylistic statement that says: I’m more than my sport. I’m a brand. A force. A woman.
For fans in Lagos, Nigeria, and all around the world, seeing this on-point combo of sport + style is more than entertainment — it’s inspiration. It says: you can excel in your craft and own your moment when the lights go off the field.
So next time you spot that Insta post, that viral shot, that ‘wow-dressed’ athlete — remember: behind the shine is the work. And in Coco Gauff’s case, it’s the work, the style, the squad — and the world watching.